EastEnders fans are speculating over Dan Sullivan's possible comeback to Albert Square after his name cropped up in a recent instalment of the iconic BBC soap.
The character, played by Craig Fairbrass, first sauntered into the square in 1999 as the lover of Carol Jackson (portrayed by Lindsey Coulson).
Drama quickly followed the couple when they became engaged and Carol fell pregnant, only for it to emerge that Dan had previously been romantically involved with her eldest daughter, Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer).
Complications ensued when Dan and Bianca embarked on an affair, despite her marriage to Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), leading to heartbreak and Carol's decision to terminate her pregnancy upon discovering the betrayal.
In Thursday's episode (April 10), available on BBC iPlayer, spats erupted between Bianca and her sibling Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) after it was revealed Bianca had spoken to a true crime podcast about her murderous ex-husband Reiss Colwell, reports Plymouth Live.
The heated exchange saw Sonia rebuke: "Your whole life has been a car crash. Everything you had, you lost. Anything good you messed up."
Highlighting Bianca's tumultuous past, she added: "I mean, Mum. Happy, ready to settle down with her new fella. You come along, bedded him, broke them up."
Defensive, Bianca retorted: "Really? I was with Dan first. There was history. I was a young girl, he took advantage of me. It wasn't my fault."
The mention of Dan sparked chatter amongst fans on an EastEnders Facebook group, where one viewer expressed hope after the episode: "Dan Sullivan gets a mention in 2025! Hope he makes a comeback."
Another chimed in: "Maybe Phil might have unfinished business with him after Dan left him to die."
A third viewer commented: "I hope Dan does come back to EastEnders. I liked him in EastEnders but I don't think he will."
Long-time fans of the show will recall Dan's fiery rivalry with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and his involvement in the infamous Who Shot Phil storyline, where he sought vengeance.
Although Lisa Shaw (Lucy Benjamin) was eventually unveiled as the shooter, Dan was initially framed and wrongly accused of the crime.
He was acquitted and his dramatic exit saw him abduct Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) in a bid to extort £200,000 from Phil and Steve Owen (Martin Kemp), before fleeing abroad in 2001.
The question on everyone's lips now is whether Dan will make a dramatic return to Walford, and if so, should Phil be concerned?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am
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