SPOILER: EastEnders bring back forgotten 90's legend in shock twist

by · Mail Online

Paul Nicholls made a surprise return to EastEnders this week. 

The actor reprised his nineties role as Joe Wicks after nearly 27 years away from the soap. But he didn't actually set foot in the square, instead appearing briefly to chat on a video call with his father David Wicks (Michael French). 

The episode, which hasn't yet aired on BBC One but is available to view on BBC iPlayer, picked up on the aftermath of David's return to Walford after receiving a concerning call from Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace). 

Kat told David that she was worried about her friend Bianca (Patsy Palmer) as she had been displaying erratic behaviour for months. 

David has had his hands full because he has also spent the week hiding a secret about a person named Holly, who viewers later learn is connected to Nicholls' character. 

Paul Nicholls made a surprise return to EastEnders this week. The episode of the hit BBC show hasn't yet aired on BBC One but is available to view on BBC iPlayer (pictured in 1997)
During Thursday's episode, viewers will see Michael French, who stars as David Wicks, speaking to his son Joe Wicks (Paul) via FaceTime 

He received text messages and calls from Holly, but refused to tell anyone who she is. 

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David was planning on leaving Walford, but was forced to stay for a few more hours after discovering Cindy (Michelle Collins) and Junior (Micah Balfour) kissing down the side of the pub.

The confrontation between David and Cindy while at Beale’s Eels featured a lot of reminders of the past.

Cindy reckoned David was as bad as her for having an affair, given they slept together and betrayed Ian (Adam Woodyatt) back in the day. 

Their conversation ended when David left the restaurant and made his way to the pub, keen to expose Cindy's affair. 

As he entered however, David was distracted by Ian as he spoke about leaving things in the past and focusing on the future. 

David then urged Cindy to concentrate on her relationship with Ian and the pair shared a kiss before parting ways.  However, as David departed from Albert Square once more his phone rang, and it was Holly. 

At the end of last week, Michael French, who plays Joe's dad David Wicks (seen) returned to Walford after receiving a concerning call from Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace)
Kat (left) told David that she was concerned about her friend Bianca (Patsy Palmer) (right) as she had been displaying erratic behaviour for months
David has had his hands full because he spent the week hiding a secret about a person named Holly as well as trying to get Bianca some help for her mental health
He received text messages and calls from her, but refused to tell anyone who she is. However, on Thursday's episode viewers will find out who she is ad her connection to Paul's return

The young woman spoke about whether David was still planning on visiting her ahead of her graduation. 

Once she mentioned her dad, Holly passed the phone over to David's son Joe Wicks (Paul Nicholls), confirming that Holly is the granddaughter of David. 

David ended the call and left Walford, ready to see Joe and Holly - but keeping her identity a secret may not last for long. 

As behind a window was Freddie's (Bobby Brazier) bird microphone, a powerful device with the ability to pick up clear sounds. 

And when Freddie listens back to the recording, he will be in for quite the shock.