Did Diane ever meet carol? i was just wondering considering they were related through marriage but I can't recall any scenes

I do not believe so. Diane left the first time before she arrived but post 94 after Carol arrived they did not meet either.
In 97 we saw Diane but it was on location in France, Carol was not there.
2008 Carol was not in the show at the time.
And the last time we saw her at Janines Wedding/giving birth to Scarlett, Carol was already on break.

Diane did come back to Walford in 1997 but I have a feeling Carol may have just left at that point or was about to.

Their paths didn't cross in 1994 as all Diane's scenes were with Pat, Ricky, David and Mark then. And as you say she didn't meet her this year because Carol had already left.

Diane is someone they should bring back full time.

I know she came back but she did not see Carol. I meant she was on location too sorry. And I agree I want Diane back fulltime and her partner who could be the new doctor since we need one.

They wanna bring in Claire when Janine returns, there realtionship needs exploring in my opinion.

The Butchers have a lot of hidden treasure there is not just Claire, there is also Frank's secret son in Manchester, and Diane's son Jacques who could return even without Diane as he could come to stay with Uncle Ricky.

Or Auntie Janine since Ricky's with Diane I think

Having to look after her nephew and her daughter maight be too much for janine though

I am hoping Ricky might return next year the show could do with a stable character like him around and Santer and DTC really built up the Butchers as a stable family unit on the show it would be nice for Newman to get that back.

I know we had those quotes from Sid Owen about quitting television but that obviously isn't true as he is on SCD.