It's been a while since we've seen EastEnders legend Ian Beale [Adam Woodyatt] in Walford, but viewers are convinced he'll be making a return to our screens - and we might not have to wait long.
Ian departed Albert Square at the start of 2021 after Sharon Watts [Letitia Dean] attempted to poison him as revenge for his role in the death of her son Denny, but he made a surprise cameo last December when he was seen on the phone to a mystery caller at Dot Cotton's funeral.
Fans are now convinced that Ian is set to return to the Square very soon as his mum Kathy Beale [Gillian Taylforth] is marrying Rocky Cotton [Brian Conley] next month.
In last night's episode (Wednesday 14 June), Kathy told Rocky that she wants her eldest son by her side when she gets married which immediately sparked rumours that Ian's return is imminent.
One viewer tweeted, "Ooh... Kathy wants Ian at her wedding... first spark of Ian's return... lovely!"
Another soap fan wrote, "Ian is gonna turn up at Kathy's wedding with Cindy, isn't he?!!! ?? Pass the popcorn! I am SEATED ???? #EastEnders."
"'I want my son there' Kathy's booked a July wedding and wants Ian to be there ?? #EastEnders," added a third.
If, or more likely when, Ian returns to Walford, it's been reported that he will have his ex-wife Cindy, played by Michelle Collins, in tow.
Now, we know what you're thinking, Cindy is supposed to be dead but she wouldn't be the first Albert Square resident to return from beyond the grave. Ian's mum Kathy returned to Walford in 2015 after faking her death 14 years prior and, of course, Dirty Den Watts' 2003 comeback shocked us all.
"This has been done so secretively but it's going to be an absolute bombshell - an unbelievable twist. Ian and Cindy are one of the most memorable couples in soap history. But Cindy has been dead for 25 years - and nobody will see this coming," a soap insider said of Ian and Cindy's return.
They told The Sun, "The biggest surprise is that Michelle has so often said there's no chance she'd come back."