Charlie Brooks has teased that she might be back on EastEnders soon, as Janine Butcher's prison release date nears. It has been four years since the character, one of the soap's most iconic villains, was last seen in Walford.
Brooks Hints at Return on Good Morning Britain
Charlie, 45, was last on EastEnders in December 2022, as Janine has been in prison since then. In a chat with Richard Arnold on Good Morning Britain, it was mentioned that Janine is due to be released in a year. Host Susanna Reid said: "OK! Out in about a year... sounds like Richard knows about the future script!" Arnold cryptically replied that Janine could be released "earlier" and "you never know" with EastEnders.
Brooks' Cautious Response
Charlie then coyly added that fans would "have to see" what happens. When Susanna asked if a return was on the cards, Charlie said: "I get asked this question all the time, I love Janine, I love playing her she’s a wonderful character, I always get blessed with such great storylines. So who knows? It's always a home away from home at EastEnders." She added that Janine is good at finding "her way out of these situations", even though she "should have a proper comeuppance".
Janine's Villainous History
Janine has been on the show since 1999 and had plenty of villainous moments over the years. The character, previously described as a "classic villainess" and "super-b****", killed her first husband Barry Evans by pushing him off a cliff when she realised he wasn't dying of an illness. She also pretended to be Jewish to marry a wealthy pensioner, who died of a heart attack upon discovering her deception. Janine killed Danielle Jones in a car accident and teamed up with Danielle's grandfather Archie Mitchell to defraud the Mitchells of The Vic. During a feud with Stacey Slater, she tried to frame Stacey for murder and attempted to kill her lover Ryan Malloy. She later murdered her fourth husband Michael Moon.
Latest Prison Stint
Her latest prison stint comes after she indirectly caused a car crash involving herself and Linda Carter, which resulted in the death of her fifth husband Mick Carter, who went into the ocean to save both women. During one of her stints away from EastEnders, Charlie took part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2012, winning the show and being crowned Queen of the Jungle. She also won the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
