EASTENDERS bosses have confirmed Bernie Taylor will return next year.
The pregnant surrogate – who is played by actress Clair Norris in the BBC soap – will be back after fleeing the square earlier this year after getting pregnant with Stuart and Rainie’s baby.
She was convinced Rainie was back on drugs and decided to go and stay with her brother Keanu.
The BBC soap will return to full-length 30 minute episodes on all nights but Tuesday from January.
Elsewhere in Walford, Chelsea’s awful Christmas is far from over, with baby Jordan in hospital and her new husband’s watchful eye more present than ever.
Gray ups the ante with his manipulation, using Chelsea’s fragile state to his advantage but Whitney and Kheerat remain steadfast in their plan to expose him.
Phil’s snap decision sees unlikely duo Kat and Sharon forced to team up to try and make things right but will they get to him before the police do?
Little does Phil know that he’s soon to face his biggest challenge and will be forced make the ultimate decision that will put everything he believes as a Mitchell to the test.
Elsewhere, Zack is set on righting his wrongs with Sharon whilst Stacey has a new business venture and her eye on another prize.
She’s hoping she might hit the jackpot with her love life too but Jean demands her attention elsewhere.
Over at The Vic, Mick has some adjusting to do as he adapts to the new set up, but things are never that easy when Janine is close by.
With Janine falling for Mick, she’s fully prepared to play the long game.
However, it’s not just Linda the Carters are missing, as Shirley and Mick still long to find out where Tina is.
Elsewhere, it’s make or break for the Monroe family, with huge decisions to be made that are set to have lasting impacts on Walford’s newest family.
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Callum and Ben will also face new trials as Ben finds out that the trauma of his past is never far away.
Callum enlists extra help when he sees Ben is struggling, but he’s got a lot on his plate with Stuart too – will he be able to do enough?
Stuart’s struggle to accept his breast cancer diagnosis continues, with him refusing to admit the truth to anyone.
He’s determined to bury his head in the sand, even when it comes to treatment.
He will also struggle as Bernie’s due date looms – as he and Rainie await the pregnant teenager’s return.
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After her scheming, Dotty finds she has no one else to turn to so she leans on Vinny for support and finds an unlikely alliance.
Things aren’t smooth sailing at the Panesar’s either, Kheerat is thoroughly caught up in helping Chelsea, so much so he might be missing a chance for romance elsewhere and Suki has to face her fears when she’s confronted by Honey.
With her guard firmly up, she takes things with Ash a step too far.
