AN EASTENDERS star is returning after 10 years as part of a devastating storyline in Walford.
Actor Clive Hayward is making a comeback to the BBC One soap – but with a twist.
He previously played Marc Zuccaroli in 2006, Stacey Slater’s psychiatrist as she suffered a breakdown during her bipolar battle.
The actor is now returning to the soap – but this time in a different role.
He will appear on screen in October as part of Nicola Mitchell’s devastating storyline as she faces losing everything over her secret debts.
A source said: “It’s a guest role but pivotal to Nicola losing everything she’s built up. It’s going to put her in a tough situation.”
It comes after the BBC soap revealed that Walford is set to be rocked by a new family twist – and fans never saw it coming.
Nicola’s secret link to her sister’s husband Ned came to to light last week.
A major secret involving Nicola and Ned Hawkins has been teased.
The two characters have shared the secret for 20 years, and now fans are speculating what the secret might be.
The secret emerged when Nicola discovered that Harry’s Barn was at risk of closure unless she could raise £25,000 and avoid bankruptcy.
Nicola’s brother-in-law Ned tracked down his former business partner Adam and managed to raise the money by blackmailing him.
At the end of the episode on Wednesday, Ned told Nicola he had raised the money, leaving her incredibly happy and thankful.
“I’m always happy to help,” he said to her.
He then added: “You should know that better than anyone.
“After all, we have been keeping our little secret for…
“What is it now, 20 years?” he asked.
Nicola looked taken a back as the blood drained out of her face.
Fans were quick to react to the cryptic secret on social media.
One person penned: “Whatever this secret is between Nicola and Ned… leave teddy out of it.”
Another said: “Ryder is definitely Nicola’s son after that Duff Duff. They seemed surprisingly close today and we know they begin to bond in next week’s episodes so I don’t think it’s just a coincidence.”
A third penned: “Nicola and Ned definitely had something to do with her Dad’s death as this took place in 2005. Either that, or Harry was born in 2002.”
