Frank's back as Santa

Eastenders favourite Frank Butcher will reportedly be making a comeback as Santa this Christmas,

15:14 18 December 2004

Eastenders favourite Frank Butcher will reportedly be making a comeback as Santa this Christmas, having previously been written out of the soap.

Comic Mike Reid, who plays the wayward car dealer, has agreed to come back for this year's Christmas Special, reports The Sun.

Soap fans will first get to see Frank as the Ghost of Christmas Past on December 23, when Reid will star alongside Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy for a special one-off show.

The Sun says that Reid's character Frank will then don a Santa suit to surprise ex-wife Pat.

Frank, who is famous for his disappearing acts, has not been seen in Albert Square since having a fling with Pat behind new wife Peggy's back.

An unnamed BBC source told The Sun that Eastenders bosses had tried to lure Reid back to the Square permanently, offering him a reported 250,000 a year salary to return as Frank.

It is reported that Reid turned down the deal in order to continue focussing on his stand-up work.

Celebrating Reid's temporary return to Albert Square, the BBC insider said: "Pat and Frank are one of Albert Square's legendary couples."

"Producers are delighted he agreed to appear. It's great to see the old Frank and Pat magic again."