Of course that is where I recognise her from, she play Michael French wife in it.

I thought that the woman in that scene looked like Lia Williams!

I couldn't get over having to believe that Suzanne Ross was now called Michelle Fowler!

I'm still not fussed about Michelle, but it will be great to see Jenna Russell.

Could it be Vicky?

If Vicky was 50.

I'm all for soaps keeping things quiet but this would be one of the things I think should be announced (If it is happening). Not everyone that watches a soap comes onto sites like these. I can imagine her turning up and Martin saying "Hello Michelle" and then a doof doof and people going "Michelle who?" but then again I guess that is what all the sign posting has been around so if it does happen the name is familiar to people.

I've watched EE since the start and was really excited when Suzanne Ross from Grange Hill was in it - I think she and Wendy Richard were the only actors I knew previously. Sue Tully is a long time ago and Michelle does have enough links. If the casting is right and the actress is given a chance to embed in, Like Jimmy Bye for example - then it'll work. There's also been enough time elapsed for the middle aged Chelle to be different from the young Chelle. Be interesting to see how a cardy wearing Michelle (as a nod to Pauline) will mix with Glam Sharon. Hopefully they have managed to get someone who won't leave in one or two years- that would be a waste.

I guess they're playing it safe as the idea of an original character like Michelle returning with a new head is the kind of thing that might unleash a negative response, with people pre-judging it before the actress has been given a chance.

Not much! Look at all the OTT hysteria over what may or may not be happening with Ronnie & Roxy's departures. It's already been been prejudged as being totally dire based on a few on-set photos and a load of assumptions in the Sun - EE is heavilly lambasted for doing stuff badly that hasn't yet aired and may not even be happening.

I have no problem with Michelle returning with a new head provided the storyline is good enough and that the actress has committed to either sticking around or making regular guest appearances.

EE isn't after advertisers or ratings in the same way as Corrie or Emmerdale, so there's not the same benefit in releasing details of everything in advance. Perhaps they've decided that shocks, surprises and the buzz that's generated after it airs is better than hyping something up to levels of expectation that don't get met? That way you can indulge your regular, loyal viewers and let the storylines and acting do the marketing, which is how it should be, really.

It's just a shame that if the person is Michelle, that someone's dropped such a massive clanger by allowing that photo through, despite what otherwise seems to be a very solid embargo. Had the person not been a cardy-wearer, they might even have got away with it, despite all the mentions of Michelle on air.

I don't get why old characters have to come back. She moved on and has a new life and most viewers didn't watch Eastenders when she was there.
Why recast for an actress who probably won't stay for more than a few years

Is her Husband arriving too?

Not so much now but story suffered in the past as "Michelle" was unable to come back. The character should absolutely have been around for some of the story lines in the past and I think a recast would have been less damage than having the character missing.

I'm the same, don't usually buy into these things but this feels different. Sharon has mentioned her several times, the telephone call a couple of weeks ago and last night the Christmas card. They have a valid reason to bring her back re the Mark and Grant reveal which is far more realistic than I missed both my parents funerals but now fancied a jolly across the Atlantic!

I think this one has legs. I remember someone on here called Kathy's return a day or so before the 30th anniversary live episode.

I'm in two minds about the idea of a recast Michelle. I'd hope that the new actor can pull off the feistiness that defined the character.

I don't remember EE having a shock, unannounced return of a character with a different actor who wasn't a child when last seen (Mark Jr and Courtney). I feel like at first it would confuse the audience and cause an uproar on Twitter due to the recast (as always)

Also I remember BBC removing an EE trailer from Youtube in the past but I can't remember what spoiler it had

I reckon we Could be seei g her

We've survived dead bodies turning up so I daresay we'd survive this.😊 I've never been against a recast. The amount of women that go through cosmetic surgery these days she could look totally different, and her accent would definitely of undergone some sort of change after years in America.

I've just had another thought about this! (I'm getting a bit obsessed now). I bet that's why they've brought Derek back - I know his first stint was a good decade after Michelle left, but The two have a shared link in Pauline. The writers are using him as a way to revive memories of the Fowlers 10 years on from Pauline's death, whilst keeping Michelle's return a secret.

Thats very true

Or she could come back,die and give phil her liver

I forget how brilliant I am sometimes

And very modest

When is Michelle due to return?

Tomorrow according to the Sun

Whoever released that trailer with her in it, has probably been sacked now.