After nearly three decades of silence, EastEnders has stunned fans by confirming the long-awaited return of a ‘missing’ character—one whose mysterious disappearance left unanswered questions, lingering suspicions, and plenty of pain behind in Albert Square. Now, after 27 years, Joe Wicks, played originally by Paul Nicholls, is officially making his way back to Walford—and producers promise that his return will be “emotional, explosive, and entirely unexpected.”
Joe Wicks was last seen in 1997, when he left the Square to start fresh following his deeply emotional struggle with schizophrenia and the loss of his beloved mother, Lorraine. Joe’s departure was quiet but heartbreaking—he had built strong connections with many in the community, especially with Sarah Hills and Pauline Fowler, who had taken a special interest in his well-being. His exit marked one of the first major soap storylines that tackled mental health seriously, and it left a lasting impression on fans.
Now, decades later, Joe’s sudden reappearance raises more questions than answers. He’s spotted first in Thursday’s episode during a moody montage—standing across from the Queen Vic, wearing a dark coat and looking hesitant. Viewers only catch a glimpse of his face before he walks away, but eagle-eyed fans immediately recognized the character. In Friday’s cliffhanger ending, Sonia pulls open the front door of No. 25 to find Joe standing there, looking older, weathered, and nervous. “It’s been a long time,” he says.
What’s brought Joe back after all these years? The official BBC synopsis is vague but loaded with intrigue: “Joe Wicks returns to Walford with unfinished business and a past he can no longer outrun.” Early reports suggest his comeback is tied to a secret deathbed confession made by a former Square resident—believed to be related to Joe’s father, David Wicks, or possibly his troubled past with his mum, Lorraine.
Joe’s arrival instantly stirs the emotions of Walford’s older residents. Kathy is shocked to see him and recalls the last time anyone heard from Joe was a brief postcard from France in 2001. Sharon, who knew Joe through his family ties to the Mitchells, warns Sonia to tread carefully—“People don’t just vanish for thirty years without a reason. And they definitely don’t come back without one.”
As the storyline unfolds, we learn that Joe has been living abroad, off the grid, and had been battling his mental health largely in solitude. But he’s returned to make amends—and possibly to reveal a secret that could turn one Walford family’s history upside down. Rumors swirl that Joe may be sitting on a hidden inheritance, or perhaps the truth about a child no one knew existed.
Producers have teased that Joe’s return will intersect with multiple key characters—including Sonia, Martin, and even Phil. A scene set to air in two weeks reportedly shows Joe confronting Phil in a dimly lit alley, with Phil barking, “If you’re here to cause trouble again, you’ve picked the wrong bloke to test.” The tension between them hints that something deeper—possibly involving Joe’s father David Wicks—has yet to come to light.
Fans are already speculating online, with some theories suggesting Joe is dying and has returned to make peace, while others believe he’s back to right a wrong tied to a crime that happened in the ’90s. One particularly wild theory suggests Joe may have information about Cindy Beale’s second disappearance—or might even have helped her escape.
Actor Paul Nicholls, who has publicly struggled with personal and health issues over the years, is confirmed to be returning to the role, marking a significant comeback for both the character and the actor himself. In a statement to fans, Nicholls said: “Coming back to EastEnders after all this time is incredibly surreal. Joe was such a layered character with so much heart, and I’m honoured to explore what’s become of him after all these years.”
The return of Joe Wicks also marks a larger thematic turn for EastEnders, which is diving deeper into legacy characters, forgotten plot threads, and long-simmering consequences. Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: “Joe Wicks’ story touched millions when it first aired. Now, as we look to the past to inform the future, his reappearance will set off a chain reaction across the Square.”
Whether Joe is back for redemption, revenge, or reckoning, one thing is certain: his presence will change everything. With emotional reunions, hidden truths, and painful memories resurfacing, the return of Joe Wicks will not only captivate longtime viewers but reintroduce a generation of fans to one of Walford’s most tragic yet beloved characters.
And as always in EastEnders, the past is never really buried—only waiting to explode.
