EastEnders viewers could have been treated to another familiar face on the BBC One soap, if Dominic Treadwell-Collins – the Executive Producer – had his way.
With on-screen siblings Grant (Ross Kemp) and Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook) both returning for their mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor)’s departure from the popular soap, Dominic also wanted to bring back another well-known character.
Dominic has revealed that he wanted to bring back Michelle Fowler (Sue Tully) to Albert Square, but she refused the offer.
Fans will remember Michelle as the daughter of Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean)’s best friend.
Speaking to Radio Times, Dominic explained: "There's one character that I wanted to get back and that was Michelle.
"And I did try. Sue Tully and I emailed back and forth, but she's a director now."
Michelle Fowler was one of the regular characters in EastEnders and had several big storylines, including having daughter Vicki, who's father is best friend Sharon's father, 'Dirty' Den (Leslie Grantham).
And who remembers this tragic moment?
As well as episodes of EastEnders, Sue has gone on to direct episodes of The Bill, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Stella and more recently the BBC drama The A Word.
Dominic also revealed that he considered recasting the role of Michelle Fowler as he really wanted to bring the character back, but “it just didn’t sit right”.
But, he’s still holding out hope for Sue to return to the soap, as he explained her character has one secret that will definitely shake things up for Grant Mitchell.
Speaking about Grant’s secret son that Michelle had after leaving Walford, Dominic said: "Michelle carries the one unexploded secret - the child. But there are ways around that!
"I love secrets. I've laid a lot of bombs, but Sean [the new executive producer] might choose not to explode them or take things in a different direction. But there will be lots of twists and turns to come."
Would you like to see Michelle Fowler return to Albert Square? Or which other EastEnders favourites would you want to see back in Walford?
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