EastEnders fans were left stunned on Monday as Whitney Dean made an unannounced return to Walford. The character, played by Shona McGarty, appeared for the first time since her exit two years ago, surprising Zack Hudson with some news.
The return had been kept top secret by show bosses, with no spoilers or leaks ahead of the episode. However, some fans quickly gave away the twist on social media after the episode dropped on BBC iPlayer on Monday morning.
Viewers took to social media to express their shock and delight. One fan wrote: 'DA F**K Whitney???' Another said: 'WHITNEY?!' A third added: 'How did they introduce Whitney back like that?' Many praised the soap for keeping the return under wraps.
Not all reactions were positive, with one fan questioning: 'Is it that significant a return? She only left two years ago.' However, the majority were thrilled to see the character back. Whitney Dean originally debuted on the show in 2008.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
