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Michelle Ryan's brutal comments about have resurfaced hours before the actress returns to Albert Square. It has been two decades since one of the biggest icons left EastEnders.

The 41-year-old soap star took on the role of teenage tearaway Zoe Slater back in 2000 at the age of just 16 years old - and now she could be reprising the character. The last time we saw Zoe in Walford was back in 2005, when she left for Ibiza. But tonight (June 16) the brunette beauty is set to make a major comeback to Albert Square.

Since she left the soap, the actress has gone on to star in the likes of Merlin, Doctor Who, Cabaret alongside Will Young, Bionic Woman, and Cockney VS Zombies.

But it appears as though her blistering comments didn't bother BBC bosses, who "repeatedly reached out" to Michelle to return to the role, according to The Sun.

A source told the press: "People are still talking about her character, so it's a real coup to bring her back. She feels like now is the perfect moment - and there was an exciting script on the table."

The actress' characters was responsible for some of the soap's biggest ever storylines. This included Zoe learning that her 'sister' Kat (Jessie Wallace) was actually her biological mum.

It was revealed that Kat was raped by her uncle Harry and fell pregnant with Zoe at 13, so she was raised as her sister instead. In a further twist in 2015, it came to light that Kat actually gave birth to twins, meaning Zoe has a twin brother. Fans will have to tune in to see what chaos Zoe will cause when she returns to Walford this week.

As fans excitedly await to see the TV icon return to her old stomping ground, the star's grueling comments about the long-running soap have resurfaced. Speaking to the back in 2008, the Merlin star was asked if she would ever consider returning to the show in the future.

Michelle bluntly replied: "Never. It's definitely not something I'd ever go back to. I know I'm sitting here now because of the start EastEnders gave me and it was an incredible training ground. But I do feel as well it was sort of like my apprenticeship, and you don't revisit that."

She added to the Daily Record: "I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show, but the door is closed. I've always taken chances. I think that's how you progress - by stepping out and doing different things.

"I really do like my freedom and jumping from job to job. I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be - big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role."