Michelle Fowler to return

Rumours from the Square point to a dramatic return for Michelle Fowler.

10:49 26 April 2004

Rumours from the Square point to a dramatic return for Michelle Fowler.

Dirty Den's destructive impact on Vicky - his daughter with Michelle - will see the forgotten Fowler return to drag the dastardly dad away from her darling daughter.

But doubt has been cast on who will play the sojourning EastEnder. The original actress - Susan Tully - is now a successful television director; this means the part of Michelle will probably go to a newcomer.

This will not be the first time an Albert Square stalwart has returned from a break looking decidedly different. Sam Michell was first played by Daniella Westbrook but, when she left the soap, her character was back in the form of Kim Medcalf.

"Brining back former stalwarts is a very good strategy and Michelle has got plenty of life in her as a character." A soap insider has told The Daily Star.

"[Michelle] could even line up with Andy Hunter and Sam Mitchell in the Albert Square power-struggle with Dirty Den.

The insider pointed out that fans of the soap will remember how Den got Michelle pregnant while she was still a schoolgirl, and she is expected to get her own back by spilling the beans on his seduction.

But Michelle will not come back for just one thing.

"There'll be plenty of mileage on Michelle's other relationships too," the soap source added.

"The single mum was best buddies with Den's daughter Sharon . . . and that relationship will be rekindled to the full."