EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks teases fans with Janine Butcher return ahead of 40th anniversary

Charlie Brooks really is an EastEnders legend. The actress, 43, has played the role of evil Janine Butcher on and off since 1999. However, the character was sent to jail for five years and left the BBC One soap in 2022.

Soap fans will remember that Janine Butcher was sent to prison after her reckless actions led to the disappearance of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer). Janine drove her and Linda Carter off a cliff and into the water on Christmas Day with Mick jumping in to save both of them.  However, he disappeared under the water and his body was never found. The police believed he was dead after his wallet washed up on the shore. 

Speaking to the Metro in a recent interview Charlie Brooks was asked if she would ever go back to the BBC One soap. She said: “I have no idea. I don’t know if the soaps will still be around in five year’s time – who knows what will happen? I think people are watching TV very differently these days. But I always say ‘never say never’ with Janine. EastEnders has been a blessing for me, it was my training ground and I love going back there.”

Fans of the soap predict both Janine and Mick will be making huge comebacks in an upcoming storyline. The soap celebrates its 40th anniversary in February 2025 and it's been reported that the storylines will be explosive but are being kept secret.

Over the past few weeks in EastEnders, Linda Carter has been mentioning her ex-husband more often than usual. This had led to fans taking to social media with their ‘fan theories’ of a Mick Carter return.  Actor Danny Dyer has previously said that producers of the show have kept the door open for him so we will have to wait and see if both stars return in a few months. 

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday from 7.30pm on BBC One or BBC iPlayer. (Euros 2024 may affect some of these times) 

Natalie Dixon is NationalWorld’s Lifestyle reporter. If you liked this article and want to read more about soaps, celebrities and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here. 

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