'EastEnders' announces Lucy Beale return

Published Nov 15 2011, 00:01 GMT  |  By Daniel Kilkelly

EastEnders bosses have announced that Lucy Beale will be returning to Walford in the New Year.

Actress Hetti Bywater is taking over the role of Lucy, who has been tipped to cause more trouble for her dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt) once she makes her Albert Square comeback.

Lucy has been living in Devon for over a year, but she is missing London life and finally decides to return home when she hears about some sad news from the Square.

As Lucy arrives back in Walford, she makes the mistake of thinking that she will be the only girl in Ian's life - and is surprised to learn of his new relationship with Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton).

It soon becomes clear that Lucy is far from impressed by Ian's choice of partner, and she will not make life easy for her father as she goes head-to-head with Mandy.

Speaking of her EastEnders casting, Bywater commented: "I'm really excited to be joining such an iconic show as EastEnders, especially becoming part of the Beale household. I'm looking forward to finding out what's in store for Lucy and seeing what she's going to get up to when she returns to Walford."

Lucy was last seen on screen in August 2010 with Melissa Suffield portraying the role. EastEnders will air the character's return scenes in January 2012.

Bywater has previously appeared in Casualty and Doctors.

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