The EastEnders fandom is in full speculation mode once again, as sharp-eyed viewers have spotted what they believe to be a huge clue pointing to the possible return of Roxy Mitchell, the iconic character portrayed by Rita Simons. The buzz comes just as news breaks that Simons has officially exited her role in Hollyoaks—a move that many see as the clearest indication yet that she may be headed back to Walford.

Roxy Mitchell was last seen in EastEnders in 2017, when she and her sister Ronnie (Samantha Womack) tragically drowned in a hotel swimming pool following Ronnie’s wedding. The double-death sent shockwaves through the soap world and sparked controversy, with many fans criticizing the decision to kill off two of the show’s most beloved female characters in such a dramatic and final fashion. For years, viewers have called for their return—either through flashbacks, dream sequences, or even the infamous “they never really died” twist that soap operas are no stranger to.

But now, with Rita Simons suddenly available, the rumor mill has gone into overdrive.

The latest clue surfaced on social media this week, when EastEnders’ official Instagram account shared a cryptic behind-the-scenes photo from a recent shoot at Albert Square’s cemetery. The caption read: “Some secrets refuse to stay buried…”—a seemingly innocent teaser, until fans zoomed in on one particular grave marker in the background. Though blurry, it appeared to bear the name “R. Mitchell,” sparking immediate fan theories that the show might be revisiting Roxy’s storyline.

One Twitter user posted, “Why would they tease Roxy’s grave now unless they’re setting something up? Rita leaving Hollyoaks is no coincidence!” Another added, “Roxy’s death was never really shown in full. They could easily rewrite it like she faked it or was in witness protection. This is SO a soap move.”

Fueling the fire even more was Rita Simons’ own behavior on social media. After the announcement of her Hollyoaks departure, she liked several tweets referencing Roxy’s return, and even posted a cryptic message of her own: “Endings are beginnings in disguise. Watch this space…” While she stopped short of confirming anything, the timing—and tone—was enough to send fans into meltdown.

It’s not just about wishful thinking, either. EastEnders has a well-documented history of bringing back characters once thought long gone. Den Watts, Kathy Beale, and Cindy Beale are just a few of the characters who have “returned from the dead,” and each time the show has used it to inject fresh drama, emotional reckonings, and ratings-boosting storylines. With the soap currently focused on themes of family secrets, trauma, and past mistakes, bringing Roxy back—whether as a living character or a vision—would fit seamlessly.

So how could Roxy return? Several theories are floating around:

1. She never actually died – The most extreme theory suggests Roxy was secretly rescued, taken into protective custody, or staged her death for her safety. A far-fetched idea? Maybe. But in the world of soaps, plausible enough.

2. She returns in a dream or hallucination – With Amy Mitchell currently experiencing emotional struggles and facing trauma from her past, many believe Roxy could appear as a ghostly vision or memory, helping guide Amy through her pain and give her closure.

3. A previously unseen video or letter – Another theory suggests Amy or Jack may uncover an old video message or letter left behind by Roxy, offering new insight into her state of mind, or even revealing secrets about her death.

4. Flashback episode – EastEnders could produce a one-off flashback special, exploring the events leading up to Roxy and Ronnie’s deaths in greater detail. This could serve to retcon part of the story or offer new emotional context.