EastEnders are bringing back one of the show’s best-loved characters

Dean Gaffney is coming back to EastEnders.

After 14 years away from Albert Square, the 39-year-old actor will be bringing his well-loved character Robbie Jackson back to the show. Gaffney first arrived in Walford in 1993, when Robbie was a troublesome teenager. The character was axed in 2003, leaving Walford and the UK to live in Mumbai with his new-found love Nita Mistry. He made a couple of minor returns in the years since, but it has now been confirmed that Gaffney will be rejoining the soap on a more permanent basis. Of his return, Gaffney said he felt "so lucky" to be reprising his role as Robbie. "I'm really happy to be back. I'm so lucky to be given the chance to work again with such a talented group of people," he said. Executive producer Sean O’Connor commented on Gaffney's return, saying: "I’m thrilled to welcome back Dean as Robbie Jackson, one of EastEnders’ most loved and most popular characters. "Bridge Street Market has never quite been the same without Robbie policing it in his high-vis jacket. "Dean brings a wonderful warmth and fun to his portrayal of Robbie and I’m sure that audiences will take him to their hearts again, just as they have always done." Details of exactly how and why Robbie will return to EastEnders are not yet known, so fans will just have to wait and find out...