EastEnders favourite Derek Harkinson returns – in ANOTHER storyline about BINS

EASTENDERS fans celebrated the comeback of much-loved character Derek Harkinson in a return to Walford which included yet ANOTHER storyline about BINS.

Pauline Fowler's mate and former lodger, played by Ian Lavender, made a surprise appearance tonight, with many expecting his comeback much closer to Christmas.

They quickly took to Twitter to gush over latest EastEnders stint, with many referring to the star by the name of his character, Pike, in BBC show Dad's Army.

Yet far from being welcomed with open arms, he was met with a frosty reception from Kathy Beale.

She grilled: "Err can i help you as he headed to the front door, "as he stood in the pathway of PAULINE'S former home.

She then raged: "I take it you're here about the bins."

Derek replied: "I'm sorry," to which she raged: "You should be.

"We've been knee-deep in chip wrappers for weeks!"

As Derek attempted to explain the case of mistaken identity, she continued:"That's typical you lot, shirking responsibility, first the Christmas tree now this," before grilling him as to where he lived.

The soap's bins storyline has spanned the past few months, with some viewers branding it "boring."

Meanwhile fans were quick to take to social media to hail the return of Martin Fowler's father figure.

One surprised viewer wrote: "I thought Derek's gonna be back at Christmas!" while another gushed: "Loved seeing Derek back," with the hashtag #goodolddays.

One agreed, and added: "Great to see Pike AKA Derek back."

Another echoed their thoughts and posted: "Loving Derek already being back on EastEnders like the good old EE days," while his comeback sparked a memory for one fan who wrote: "Oh my god I remember Derek, he was Pauline's gay lodger <3"

For another, actor Ian resuming his role prompted a trip down memory lane and they wrote: "I remember Derek and Pauline directing the Christmas play in the community centre way back in 2001! "Where did the time go!"

After witnessing further scenes, where Derek's absence was put down to a stay in Eastbourne, one uploaded: "Blimey, Derek's back. :) That's a blast from the past."

Another mused: "I miss Pauline & Derek's banter," while the soap's official Twitter page quipped: "Derek!! Strong scarf game btw."

Derek again featured later in the episode when the community were putting together a version of Scrooge.

There he was reunited with Kathy, who learned his identity as Patrick greeted him with a huge hug.

Viewers were left in stitches as he caught up on the gossip.

He was swiftly corrected after asking about Martin and assuming he'd started a family with Sonia, while he quizzed Kathy and said: "I remember Pauline talking about you.

"But it's funny, I could have sworn she said you were dead!"

Producers initially hinted Ian would make his return at Christmas.

Talking of his time on the show, Ian said:

Ian said: “It was a lovely surprise to be back and I had a great time.

“It was brilliant to work with some old friends again, especially those who I only briefly got to work with before.”

Ian first stepped into Walford in 2001.

The Dad’s Army star, 70, left in 2005 during an exit storyline which saw him return to his family.

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