An EastEnders favourite is readying for a returning to the Albert Square cobbles after making an impressive cameo years after departing the BBC soap

An EastEnders icon is set for a return to the Walford cobbles. Gemma Bissix is reportedly ready to reprise her role as Clare Bates on the BBC soap.

The actress, who recently made a one-off return after 18 years away from Walford, is ready to return once again for the funeral of her stepdad Nigel. And it's said the scenes are going to be "heartbreaking" for viewers to watch.

She delighted fans earlier in the year as she returned to the set as Nigel, played by Paul Bradley, had to be put into a care home. It led to her character making peace with her stepdad after a long-time estrangement.

And now it's said that the scenes were so popular that bosses planned her comeback once again. Speaking to The Sun, an insider said: "It will be in heartbreaking circumstances as Nigel is set to die next week in emotional scenes."

They claimed the initial return was an unexpected success and had initially held fears that the fanbase may have moved on from her character. However, they labelled it a "high point" for viewers.

The source went on: "It was only originally for a short stint but bosses couldn’t not bring her back again for Nigel’s funeral. There won’t be a dry eye in the house."

Fans had predicted the star was set for a permanent place back in the Square following her cameo appearance.

She made her professional debut on the programme in 1993 and she remained on-screen until 2008 when she went on to appear on Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Masterchef and Doctors.

She currently stars on Hollyoaks, but fans believed her return was paving the way for a more permanent position. Gemma, was just nine years old when she initially landed a role on EastEnders. And she confessed it was emotional to reunite with her co-stars after so long for the recent filming.

She said she was thrilled to have been asked back by Executive Producer Ben Wadey, teasing what's ahead.

Gemma revealed: "It’s been an absolute pleasure to be back, and a privilege to be involved in Nigel’s poignant dementia storyline. I think it’s a storyline that sadly resonates with so many people and it’s been a real full circle moment for me, as EastEnders is where I learnt my craft as I was on the show from the age of nine."

And she also recently revealed the doubt she felt during her initial spell on the soap. She said: "When I was younger, I used to question myself a lot.

"I used to think, was I any good? We all have self-doubt, even now I still have my own little self-doubt and I think as I’ve grown up and now with my children, I need to be better at believing in myself."

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