đŹ EastEnders Fan Favourite Set to Return After Three Years
đč Stuart Highway’s Comeback
-
Beloved character Stuart Highway, last seen in 2023, is confirmed to be returning to EastEnders in a limitedâbut dramaticâstint this year. Portrayed by Ricky Champ, Stuart originally arrived in Walford in 2018 and evolved from a menacing villain into comic reliefâoften involved in both chaos and heartwarming moments. Wikipedia+14The Sun+14Dailygossip+14
-
Stuart is the brother of Callum Highway, married to Ben Mitchell, currently imprisoned. His lighting return is expected to shake up family dynamics and fire up familiar tensions on the Square. Dailygossip+3The Sun+3Dailygossip+3
đč Why This Return Matters
-
Stuartâs unpredictable edgeâpart troublemaker, part comic foilâmakes him a wildcard returnee. Fans are expecting his presence to revisit past conflicts, stir up mischief, and possibly offer heartfelt moments too.
-
This return joins a wave of nostalgic comebacks, with characters like Zoe Slater, Max Branning, Bex Fowler, and Ben Mitchell all re-entering Walford in recent months. It signals a concerted push to blend legacy characters with fresh drama. Reddit+2Dailygossip+2The Sun+2
đŁ Whoâs Returning & Stirring Things Up in Walford:
-
Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) made a shocking and emotionally charged comeback in June 2025 after a 20-year absence, reviving layers of slater-family mystery. Wikipedia+7Wikipedia+7Dailygossip+7
-
Max Branning, along with his son Oscar, returns after a four-year absence, bringing fresh generations into the Mitchell/Branning saga. towerblockers.com+3Dailygossip+3The Sun+3
-
Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) will return later this year after a dramatic exit in the U.S. related to a fraud storyline. Dailygossip+2Corrienews+2Dailygossip+2
đ Quick Summary
| Returnee | Role in Walford | Year of Departure | Return Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Highway | Brother to Callum, comedic yet edgy figure | 2023 | Limited return with expected clashes |
| Zoe Slater | Iconic Slater daughter | 2005 | Returned June 2025 for emotional arcs |
| Max Branning | Returning father with new generation ties | 2021 | Expected to bring drama with daughter Oscar |
| Ben Mitchell | Complex Mitchell with criminal past | 2024 | Set for later return this year |
â Final Take
Stuart Highwayâs return is poised to be one of the most talked-about storylines of 2025. With a growing wave of staple characters reentering the Square, EastEnders is clearly embracing its long history while forging bold new drama. Expect chaosâand maybe even heart hidden beneath the bravado.
Would you like a speculative scene breakdown of how Stuart might reconnect with Callum or stir trouble at the Mitchell household?
