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Let's 'ave a Butchers

Published Sunday, Mar 2 2008, 15:03 GMT | By Kris Green | 20 comments

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We're finally into March and now the countdown begins.

The much-anticipated return of Ricky and Bianca in EastEnders is only weeks away, forming a block of episodes which promise tip-top soapy drama. Only days before the pair make their comeback will viewers see the fallout of Tanya's revenge on Max, while the burial itself takes place the week prior. In all, a seemingly unmissable month of Walford action.

On Friday, I was lucky enough to catch up with Patsy Palmer (Bianca), Sid Owen (Ricky), Charlie Brooks (Janine) and Sophie Lawrence (Diane) to chat about what it's been like 'going home'. The fruits of my interviews will appear on DS at the end of the month.

And the poor workman's face when he recognised Patsy in the lift was a picture!

Are you looking forward to the Butchers' return? What about Frank Week? Think it'll deliver? Let me know your thoughts via the usual method below!

More: Patsy Palmer, Sid Owen, Charlie Brooks, Soaps, EastEnders

Your Views

20 Comments

Your Responses

Laurence, London, on March 5th, 2008
Good to see Janine Diane and Ricky turning up at the funeral. Will their elder sister be joining them too?

Kelly, Manchester, on March 3rd, 2008
Seeing Diane/Sophie looking so happy makes me want her back for good. Bless. I hope 'Enders bring them all back. EE needs the Butchers! lol

James, on March 3rd, 2008
I want Janine back for longer too. Cannot wait to see Bianca!

Paul Johnson, London, on March 3rd, 2008
Im so looking forward to this! I loved Bianca and Ricky. Cannot wait to see them again. Such a great move bringing them back to such a great soap. As for all the usual moaners. I don't know why you watch. It's the same old stuff from you all every EE blog...

Miss AP Miller, Devon, on March 3rd, 2008
I'm not looking forward to Ricky and Bianca's return. They weren't all that good when they were in the show before so why have the producers decided to bring them back?. It's understandable that they and the rest of the Butchers would come back for Frank's funeral but I wish that they were only in the show for that particular episode.

Andy, on March 3rd, 2008
You lucky... I'm so jealous. I look forward to the interviews!

Brekkie, Wales, on March 3rd, 2008
Oh, I won't be watching - but I'll still be inflicted with it in every TV mag and soap review going. To be fair though as a non-watcher I do get the impression EastEnders have started to turn it around in the last few months and the good weeks are now far outweighing the bad - but I think it's more the new characters than the returning and old characters that are responsible for that. I know about Frank's funeral - but still it's a bit of a leap to believe both decide to stay on after.

Karen, on March 3rd, 2008
Get Janine and Diane back full time too! Bring back all the Butchers EE!

Totem_Bern, on March 2nd, 2008
In response to Brekkie... Don't watch then... plenty of people are very excited about this... And as for 'how are we supposed to believe they just happen to return at the same time' - have you paid any attention at all? It's Frank's funeral week.. yes they all return for the send off... geddit? Not rocket science... If you haven't watch for 5 years, aren't interested in their return, why the hell did yo bother reading the soap scoop in the first place...???????

Emily, Oxford, on March 2nd, 2008
Has Sid been in the sun by any chance?

Donna, Durham, on March 2nd, 2008
Really can't wait to see them again. It's been too long.

Charlotte, on March 2nd, 2008
I CANNOT wait to see this lot again. EE on a roll right now.

Carl, Liverpool, on March 2nd, 2008
Cannot wait to see them back!!! And Brekkie, they're coming back for Franks's funeral. DOH!

Dom, on March 2nd, 2008
Brekkie, you obviously don't know how their return is happening do you and what it is coinciding with...

Matt, Worcestershire, on March 2nd, 2008
I'm really looking forward to Bianca and Ricky's return. They were brilliant characters when they were in the soap. I think it's important to bring back old faces as opposed to just bringing in new cast members. The producers did well by deciding to give Frank a send-off, it wouldn't have been right to leave his character the way it was. Frank (Mike Reid) was one of EastEnders' greats and will be missed by everyone!

Keith, Dublin, on March 2nd, 2008
Yet another fine blog Kris, you have the best job! lol EastEnders is on fire at the moment and March is going to be an unmissable. I can't wait for Frank Week and to see all the Butchers back on the Square. Diederick Santer has been a godsend thusfar at EastEnders. This month may be one of his finest hours to date. Can't wait for the interviews! I agree with the above comment. I would love to see an introduction to Bianca's kiddies!

Rick, Manchester, on March 2nd, 2008
Blimey, you well look like Bradley Branning

Brekkie, Wales, on March 2nd, 2008
Who exactly is there return supposed to appeal too? It certainly doesn't appeal to the likes of myself who watched the show back in the nineties but haven't bothered for the last 4-5 years or so, and I'd have thought considering there's been virtually a 90% cast change in the last 3-4 years it wouldn't appeal to much to newer viewers either. So that just leaves the people who've stuck with it through thick and thin - both of them! And are viewers supposed to believe both choose to return to Walford at exactly the same moment?

Gary, on March 2nd, 2008
Wow, Kris you spoil us! I wish Janine was coming back for good - shame she's only there for a week :(

Josh, Bucks, on March 2nd, 2008
Can't wait for the interviews! Thanks Kris! Any news on Bianca's kids yet? Can we have a soap scoop introducing us to them like you did when the Morons (sorry, Mortons) first joined Corrie?

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