Eastenders' Michelle Ryan pictured back on soap set as Zoe is set to reunite with Slaters

Michelle Ryan has been spotted back on the set of EastEnders for the first time since making her surprise return to the BBC soap just weeks ago.

Viewers were left in shock when Zoe made her return to the soap after 20 years, although she scarpered once again after a close run in with her mother Kat. During her brief stint earlier this month, Zoe was seen away from the Square in Stacey Slater's (Lacey Turner's) flat as Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) came to help.

Zoe then fled to Barcelona after a close run in with her mother Kat, as she revealed she was hiding a big secret that everyone would "hate her" for if they found out. Currently, Alfie is in Barcelona to try and bring Zoe back. It's known Zoe will be returning to the Square later this year, with the first pictures of the star on set released.

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In the pictures, Michelle could be seen filming on set withSonny Kendall, who plays Kat Slater's (Jessie Wallace) son, Tommy Moon. Zoe has never met her half-brother Tommy, but from the pictures, it looks like their first meeting could be happening very soon. As well as Tommy, Zoe also has half brothers Bert and Ernie, who she's also yet to meet.

Fans can expect drama to go down when Zoe eventually does reunite with her mum Kat. The pair had a turbulent relationship, with which included revelations about Kat's past and the truth about Zoe's parentage. Despite a reconciliation, the pair's relationship became fractured again and they now remained estranged.

However, Alfie hopes to bring the two back together by bringing Zoe back from Barcelona, although we could see dramatic scenes if his plan backfires. Keeping Zoe's return a secret from his wife, Alfie told Kat he was off to Australia, as his brother Spencer needed help.

Kat is already becoming suspicious, as she was heard telling Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that she hadn't spoken to Alfie since he left - and Spencer had been acting weird when she called.

Prior to Alfie leaving, Kat was heard telling him that their relationship would be over for good if she found out he was lying about his whereabouts. Will Kat be able to forgive him? And how will her reunion with her daughter Zoe go down?

Zoe's return marked the first episode for new Executive producer Ben Wadey, but it's not the only legendary return we'll be seeing. This week, it was announced that Karen Henthorn would be reprising her role as Julie Bates, as Nigel's dementia gets progressively worse.

Speaking on Michelle Ryan's return to the soap, Wadey said: "Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as although we haven’t seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.

"I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Walford. Whilst I can’t say too much at this stage, Zoe’s return is just one of the many exciting storylines we have planned.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.