EastEnders airs iconic character’s long-awaited return to screens after months away from Walford

EASTENDERS have aired an iconic character's long-awaited return to Walford after months off screen.

Fans of the long-running BBC One soap were left delighted after tuning into the first look episode on iPlayer.

During the show they watched as Sonia Fowler made her first on-screen appearance in months.

Viewers saw Reiss visit his fiance in prison as the day of her murder trial finally arrived.

Sonia is now heavily pregnant with their unborn child and became upset at the thought of carrying her child whilst inside.

Fighting back tears, she said: "You do know that I'm twice as likely to be premature having the baby in here? The stress, everything.

"I am on trial for murder, we tried so hard to get pregnant and now our little miracle is going to be born in here."

During Reiss' visit she told him how she's not heard from her sister Bianca since her plea hearing and how she wanted her sister's support.

Later in the episode Sonia arrived in court to begin her trial where she came face-to-face with Debbie's parents.

EastEnders aired a second shock return as Patsy Palmer returned to screens as Bianca.

She could be seen chained while sitting on the sofa as Reiss visited her at the basement she's been held hostage in for months.

Taking to social media, one fan wrote: "I'm really hoping that this week is the week of Reiss's demise. It's clear he's feeling a little guilty for Sonia taking the fall over him."

A second said: "When it all comes out Reiss also needs to be hit over the head with a shovel."

EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.