Janine to make regular 'Enders return

EastEnders favourite Charlie Brooks has signed up to make a permanent return to the soap.

The 26-year-old recently reprised her Walford role as vixen Janine Butcher for 'Frank Week', a bank of four tribute episodes dedicated to late comic legend Mike Reid.

The storyline saw Janine and the majority of her screen family – brother Ricky (Sid Owen) and sister Diane (Sophie Lawrence) – return for their father Frank's funeral.

EastEnders bosses so were impressed by her performance and the audience reaction that they began discussing a longer-term contract almost immediately.

Of her return, she said: "I'm thrilled to be returning to EastEnders. I loved coming back earlier in this year for Frank's funeral. It gave me a taste for playing Janine again. And I'm excited to see what Janine will be getting up to now she is returning to Albert Square."

Executive producer Diederick Santer added: "I couldn't be more pleased that Charlie Brooks is rejoining EastEnders. With her appearances last month, she reminded us what a fine actress she is, and what an intriguing, watchable and engaging character she plays as Janine.

"Rejoining us for a longer stint will give us a chance to understand what makes Janine tick, to see what lies beneath the surface of this unique character, and to find out from where she got that flash, big, black car…"

Brooks returns to filming in the summer and will re-appear on screen at the end of October or beginning of November.

Earlier this month, producers also announced the return of Amanda Drew as 'Mad' May Wright.

> Click here to read our interview with Charlie Brooks and Sophie Lawrence