I always liked honey but comeback was completed random.

I am primarily looking at characters like Tanya, david and the likes of Bianca.

Should you just be allowed one comebank and once you close the door the next times it stays closed

Maybe the revolving door is stopping the development of new characters

The revolving door makes it seem more real. I like all these little comebacks.

Seeing Honey again was a nice surprise. It's less realistic when Billy's kids turn up out of the blue unaccompanied for a visit (as Oscar did a few weeks ago at the Brannings - Tanya not making an appearance). Also, it gives something for Billy to do - Perry Fenwick has literally had nothing substantial since the Olympic torch episodes and Lola's custody of Lexi (and even then, he was in the background).

Chatting up Ava Hartman does not count.

It's a soap, not football. We can't cap transfers. Why would you? i like the idea that people pop in and out. I think that kind of role for Peggy would be good, i also think it's a good way of moving stories forward.

No. Fans will always love a favourite to return, no matter how many times. Look at Sharon!

I think it's brilliant, because in reality, people do call in and visit family every now and then

Limit?

Why?

It's more realistic for friends and family to pop back for visits.

It's working just fine. I love all the visits, it makes the show more realistic.

I think EastEnders is bringing soap more widely into new territory, with more flexible contracts and more believable reappearances from characters you would expect to see quite frequently.

Hopefully we are coming towards the end of the days when a character leaves and is never heard of ever, ever again. Coronation Street, by contrast, is firmly stuck in this habit. It exists in a bubble that does not extend beyond the confines of the outdoor set. If a character leaves, they will be never heard of again unless they come back full time. It actually grates on me quite a lot.

Loving all the visits! Havent seen Honey since 2008! Was nice to know that she was alive! Unlike Michelle Fowler who has a pre recorded voice message to answer to when ever Ian phones her to let her know someone has died!

"Hi, Oh dear, sorry to her that, he/she was a great person, sorry can't come to the funeral, I'm very busy at work" ok bye"

Is what Ian or Sharon hears everytime he calls her!

I like the short returns of characters that you would realistically see - Honey, Carly, Libby. However, EastEnders definitely do many permanent returns - this past year we have seen Sonia, Peter, David, Jane, Stacey, Dean, Shabnam and Ronnie permanently return. Quite a lot in a year! I feel Peter/Shabnam is slightly different as they're being played by different actors. Far too many returns for one year though.

I agree. Especially with Christian and Lucy's funeral

It's not a revolving door, it keeps the show feeling fresh and lively when you have familiar faces just pop back in and out.

If they were all drifting in and staying permanently then maybe but they're not. They're just opening up the show a bit which makes it better.

I think it works for some characters though, like Frank in the past and now these days his daughter Janine.

They return, cause some mayhem, run off with a smile on their face then return dirt poor and vengeful.

Sonia - To be there for her mum as she copes with her cancer diagnosis. Makes sense, and she hasn't just moved back and quit her job. It's good that she is still living off the square. Very realistic.
Jane - Frequently said that Bobby was "staying with Jane" so it's not unrealistic that she would come by Walford. Then she is around for the aftermath of Lucy's death. Considering she is like a mum to Ian's kids - Realistic.
Stacey - Kat tracked her down relentlessly, keeping in with the character. Stacey's family and friends live on the square, it's fair that she wants to do her time to clear her husband's name and be able to see her family again. Realistic.
Dean - Close to his Grandad, who is temporarily living on the square and taking the rap for him. Realistic that we'll see him in and out. Realistic.
Ronnie - Got out of prison, wants to live with her sister. They stretched reality a bit by letting her live so close to Kat and Alfie but the rest checks out. Moderately-realistic.

The only iffy one is David in my opinion.

The only door that should be permanently shut, is on Bianca!

I wonder if Zainab will be next?!

After kirkwood messed up the show, these returns and guest appearances are needed to make the show more realistic again.

Oh I miss Zainab, I'd love to see her on the square again!

In life people come and go so this is realistic imo.

They're all fairly realistic yeah. But it's a bit too much relying on old characters imo. Like did we really need to see Stacey again? Audience were told she was in Mexico, she could have stayed in Mexico. Dean could have stayed wherever he was before they created this close relationship with his granddad. Ronnie could have easily moved elsewhere. Just a few too many permanent returns this last year

As someone who's not a fan of Stacey I would say yes, we did need to see her again.

As much as I am dubious about how they're going to use her when she's back for good, the Archie storyline desperately needed to be wrapped up. So, at least we're getting that.

Do you have any alternatives?

If they have stories that can involve Ronnie and there's now a place for Dean with the Carter's arriving then why not?

I think it makes it more realistic. They do it a lot on Home and Away too and it keeps it real.

It's just too much reliance on them really. I like the fact the Archie storyline has been wrapped up, but really not the way it was done - the 'hello Stacey, goodbye Janine' storyline really did not have to be done... Kat spots Stacey in London, Stacey goes to Walford and sees Dot, Stacey realises she has to do her time, she confesses - no Kat being charged with perjury

I was never a fan of Dean, and haven't liked his return. The character was axed 6 years ago for a reason imo. However with the Mick/Shirley twist I do want to see how Dean reacts to that, but that's a long way off

Ronnie's return has been okay. Could have coped fine without her though

It'd just be great if they created some new 'classic' characters

I agree up to a point as I think popping back or coming through the revolving door too much reduces the impact and payoff for the viewers of an exit story.Kinda makes them more meaningless less effective.It also increases the chances of some cast members getting complacent and treating the show as a cash cow.