EastEnders aired a shock return during the recent episode of the BBC One soap, as Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) made an unexpected appearance via a prison phone call. The character, who has been off screen since December 2025, rang his estranged wife Nicola Mitchell's (Laura Doddington) phone, but her new partner George Knight (Colin Salmon) answered.
Unexpected Call from Prison
During Tuesday's (August 18) episode, Teddy explained that he was calling Nicola because "today is a big day for her." George told the prisoner that Nicola's sisters and mother have turned up to Walford. A confused Teddy asked whether "Ned" was with them, but George wasn't aware who Teddy was on about and brushed over the question.
Ned, who is yet to be seen on screen, is the husband of Nicola's sister Gemma Hawkins, so fans will have to wait and see why Teddy asked about him.
Fans Demand Full-Time Return
As the short scene played out, fans rushed to social media to beg bosses to bring Teddy back on a full-time basis. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan wrote: "OMG TEDDY IS BACK!!!!!, A really nice unexpected surprise seeing Teddy from prison today. He should never have been sent down for Okie's murder and he should still be on the Square supporting Harry, Barney and Nicola."
Another social media user replied: "He was getting interesting before he left, I do wish he comes back properly at some point." A third said: "Bring back Teddy Mitchell full time. Him and Nicola were gold. There the only people I’d want in the Vic apart from Kat and Alfie # EastEnders."
Background of Teddy's Sentencing
Teddy's final scene aired on 11 December 2025 after the character was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking responsibility for the murder of Tobias "Okie" Okyere (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu). Fans are aware that Teddy and Nicola's son Harry Mitchell accidentally killed Okie during a scuffle in a flat. During the fight, Okie dropped a knife, and Harry grabbed it to protect himself, fatally stabbing Okie in the process.
Teddy went to the scene afterward and confessed to the murder himself to prevent his son from going to prison. In devastating scenes, Teddy was told that he was sentenced to life imprisonment and would serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars. His family reeled, and Harry attempted to tell the court it was his fault, but Teddy stopped him as he was taken away.
Back in the Square, Barney Mitchell struggled to accept the news about Teddy, and his brother Harry was wracked with guilt about what happened, but girlfriend Gina Knight urged him to try and make Teddy proud. EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am.
