EastEnders star to return after almost 20 years

EastEnders has announced that Tracy-Ann Oberman is reprising her role as “the infamous Chrissie Watts” almost 20 years after she last appeared in the BBC soap.

Oberman has already begun filming her scenes and will be seen on screen in the autumn.

Announcing Oberman’s return “for a short stint”, EastEnders said: “Chrissie Watts famously left Walford in December 2005 after she was imprisoned for the murder of husband Den Watts (Lesley Grantham).

“In a bid to protect their freedom, Chrissie alongside Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) buried Den under the floor of The Vic barrel store and Chrissie lived for months under false pretences with Den’s beloved adoptive daughter, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), and his son Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman).

“Accomplice Sam was initially held responsible for the crime after she drunkenly dug up Den’s body on Sharon and Dennis’s wedding day, but Chrissie’s actions were soon uncovered when Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) returned to the Square in a bid to free their sister, and Chrissie has been imprisoned ever since.

“Although Chrissie only resided in Walford for just over a year-and-a-half during her last stint, Chrissie left a whole heap of drama in her wake and a long list of enemies.

“From hacking off Kate Mitchell’s (Jill Halfpenny) hair after she discovered the affair between her and husband Den, to finding herself on the receiving end of Kat Slater’s (Jessie Wallace) wrath for getting daughter Zoe caught up in his murder, there are many people in Walford who were glad to see the back of her.

“However, Chrissie’s biggest enemy during her time in the Square came in the form of Den’s beloved ‘Princess’, Sharon, when Chrissie learnt the hard way that in Den’s world, his daughter always came first…

“With the circumstances relating to her return currently under wraps, it remains to be seen why the notorious Chrissie Watts is back, but one thing is for certain, there are sure to be fireworks…”

Commenting on her return, Oberman said: “Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play – a victim or a villain. She is a real fan-favourite, so when Chris Clenshaw asked me to come back and revisit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance.

“The scripts are fantastic, and I hope the viewers enjoy her as much as I am enjoying playing her again.”

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of EastEnders, added: “I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Tracy-Ann back to the iconic role of Chrissie Watts.

“Although the character hasn’t been seen on screen for almost 20 years, Chrissie is cemented in EastEnders‘ rich history for her murder of Walford’s most infamous villain, and Sharon’s beloved father, Dirty Den.

“I’m keeping tight-lipped on the exact circumstances relating to her return for the time being, but what I can promise is that it’s never quiet when Chrissie Watts is around.”

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