Steven Beale was, hands down, one of the most twisted psychopaths to ever set foot in Albert Square.
He kidnapped his adoptive father, Ian (Adam Woodyatt), shot his stepmother, Jane (Laurie Brett), tried to SUFFOCATE Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), attempted to steal his sister Lucy (Hetti Bywater) away to Europe, and accused his uncle Christian (John Partridge) of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Phew!
Since he left Walford, the EastEnders villain has been travelling around New Zealand - where he was later joined by his brother, Peter (Ben Hardy), Peter’s fiancé, Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), and, later, their baby son, Louis.
However it’s since been CONFIRMED that Aaron Sidwell will be reprising his role as Stephen later this year - and he’s ALREADY back on the EastEnders set filming his shock comeback scenes.
But, with Jacqueline Jossa also confirmed to make her return to the BBC One soap shortly, it seems more and more likely that Lauren and Stephen’s decision to come home to Walford is linked.
Why have they chosen to come home without Peter?
Well, we can dream up a few reasons…
Firstly, there’s the most heartbreaking option; Peter has died (after all, Ben Hardy is too busy making Hollywood blockbusters to return) and his heartbroken brother and childhood sweetheart are heading to London to tell his parents about his passing.
That seems so final though, doesn’t it?
There’s also a possibility that Peter and Lauren, despite seeming PERFECT for one another, have split up - and he’s decided to remain in New Zealand as he nurses his broken heart.
We don’t particularly love that idea either, mind you.
Some fans have speculated that Lauren and Steven's return means that the big secret surrounding Lucy’s death (we’re looking at you, Bobby!) is out, and Steven - who was close to his little sister - has returned to make sure the youngest Beale goes down.
As Lauren’s dad, Max (Jake Wood), is currently in prison for Lucy’s murder, there’s a chance that she’s rushing back to time her arrival with Steven’s bombshell... and her dad’s release from jail.
Hmm.
Speaking to the Daily Star about her comeback, Jacqueline promised her return scenes were not typical EastEnders with "screaming and shouting”.
However she added that fans can expect it to be HUGE.
She said: "It is a dramatic return. It's not your average EastEnders thing where people are screaming and shouting but it will shock people."
Jacqueline previously said: “I love a big, angry storyline. I just want more pain. It’s boring when they’re happy.
“EastEnders is best at misery, sadness and anger, and I just miss screaming, crying – they’re the scenes I am best at.”
That sort of suggests that things aren’t going to end well for her and Peter, eh?
We wouldn't expect anything less from EastEnders, to be honest.
Why do you think Stephen Beale and Lauren Branning are returning to Walford WITHOUT Peter?
Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.
EastEnders airs weeknights on BBC One