EastEnders bosses brought back Nasty Nick at Christmas time in 2008 to torment his long-suffering mother, Dot Cotton.

Actor John Altman, who plays the notorious villain, appeared in the BBC soap's very first episode in 1985. Before his return he was last seen in June 2001 when his mother Dot (June Brown) disowned him following the death of her grandson - which he was responsible for.

Since leaving Albert Square, Nick has spent time in prison for various drug-related offences. Nick murdered two EastEnders (Reg Cox and later killed Eddie Royle) and nearly succeeded in killing Dot when he locked her in her flat and tried to poison her.