EastEnders is reportedly preparing for the return of gangster Danny Hardcastle, who is set to wreak havoc on Albert Square in a revenge storyline targeting Phil and Ben Mitchell. The character, played by actor Paul Usher, last appeared in June when the Mitchells escaped with a large sum of cash after a failed setup.
According to reports, Danny's comeback will be a major ongoing plot once the BBC soap resumes airing, likely in September. A source told The Sun Online: 'Phil and Ben need to watch out as when Danny returns, he’s not going to be happy with them. Phil thought he’d never see Danny again after the last dust up - but he’s back and he’s angry.'
The revenge storyline is expected to unfold over the winter, with tensions escalating between Phil and his nemesis. In their last encounter, Danny attempted to kill Ben in front of Phil, but the Mitchells managed to escape and locate Danny's cash before police arrived.
EastEnders is currently airing special episodes, including 'Secrets From The Square' on Mondays and classic episodes on Tuesdays, while production on new episodes continues. The return of Danny Hardcastle promises to be one of the first major storylines when the show returns to screens.
