Belinda Owusu has revealed she is "beyond thrilled" to be returning to EastEnders as Libby Fox, nearly a decade after the character left Albert Square.
The actress, who first joined the BBC soap 20 years ago, will reprise her role for a short stint later this month as the Fox-Trueman family faces one of its most challenging periods yet.
Ms Owusu’s character departed Walford in 2017, but eagle-eyed viewers recently spotted her during the show's New Year's Day flashforward episode, which was set on 1 January 2027.
Her upcoming return will help unravel more of the mystery surrounding that future storyline.
According to producers, Libby heads back to Walford to support her family following her mother Denise Fox's blood cancer diagnosis.
However, once she arrives, it quickly becomes apparent that the family needs all the support it can get.
Alongside Denise, played by Diane Parish, Libby will also be helping her sister, Chelsea Fox, portrayed by Zaraah Abrahams, who is struggling in the aftermath of her son Jordan's accident.
Speaking about her comeback, Ms Owusu said: "I am beyond thrilled to be back on the Square. Getting the Foxes back together has been such a joy, full of fun and nostalgia.
The actress returns to the soap alongside her onscreen sister
|BBC
"It's been 20 years since I first joined, so coming back has been like returning home. It's a really great team and I've been loving my time here.
"Libby is coming home to support her family during a difficult time, and it's been so wonderful stepping back into her shoes and becoming a Fox again."
Executive producer Ben Wadey also expressed his excitement at welcoming MS Owusu back to the show.
"We're thrilled to welcome Belinda back to the role of Libby Fox as we start to uncover another piece of the puzzle of the New Year's Day flashforward storyline," he said.
The character left the soap back in 2017
|BBC
"Libby returns at a particularly emotional time for the Fox-Trueman family, and it's clear that her family needs her now more than ever."
The announcement has sparked a mixed reaction among fans on social media, with many delighted to see the popular character returning.
One fan enthusiastically posted: "WELCOME HOME SQUIGGLE."
Another wrote: "Yay Libby is back! Can't she bring Darren Miller with her as well?"
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A third commented: "First of all, SQUIGGLE!!! Second of all, it's not really a short stint if it lasts up to New Year's '27." (sic)
However, not everyone was convinced by the return, as some viewers expressed frustration over what they see as an increasing number of temporary comebacks.
"I get why she is returning, but I'm kinda sick of all the short-stint returns. Why can't we focus on the characters that are there who have been ignored for months?" one fan wrote.
Another added: "Either bring characters back for longer or don't. Sick of short stints."
A further comment simply read: "Oh god she's boring." (sic)
Libby is returning to Walford at a poignant time for her family
|BBC
Despite the divided reaction, Libby's return is set to bring plenty of emotion and nostalgia to Albert Square, while offering viewers further clues about the soap's intriguing flashforward storyline.
With Denise battling illness and Chelsea facing personal struggles, it appears the Fox family will need to pull together more than ever in the months ahead.
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