EastEnders icon Ricky Butcher has returned to Walford for the first time in 10 years and actress Charlie Brooks has revealed her delight at the character’s comeback.
The 41-year-old has been playing Janine Butcher on and off since 1999 and has become somewhat of a soap icon.
While Janine has always had a turbulent relationship with her family, Ricky has always been there for her and he has now returned to Walford to reunite with his scheming sister.
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Speaking about her co-star’s epic comeback, Charlie gushed: “Sid’s been there from day one for me since I came into EastEnders, so we’ve got a really close friendship.
“It’s really nice to have him back for me and especially for the audience. I think it’s really nice to see old faces and the familiarity and safety that comes with that. It’s lovely for viewers, for Janine and for me as well.”
(Image: BBC)
Discussing the dynamic between the siblings, Charlie admitted it will be good for Janine to have family close but teased there is a strong possibility Ricky could betray her.
The mum-of-one explained: “He’s basically the only family she’s got. I think it’s nice for Janine to have someone there who’s got her back, but whether he will always have her back, we’ll have to see.”
In upcoming scenes, Janine invites Ricky to a family lunch and Charlie has explained why this is an important moment for her character.
“I think it’s about creating a family, isn’t it? Janine wants to make her stamp with her family on the relationship,” she explained, adding: “Mick has got so much family on his side, so I think it’s important to Janine that he and Ricky connect.”
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Always recognising that Janine has an ulterior motive, the soap star continued: “And also, I think the dark side of Janine wants to use Ricky now and manipulate him into keeping an eye on Mick and not letting him go off on his own.”
After returning to the square, Ricky assures Janine that she has nothing to fear from Linda, but Charlie explains whether her character believes him.
“I think she so desperately wants to believe that nothing’s going on and that Mick adores her, and she says that quite openly,” the I’m A Celeb star said.
(Image: PA)
She added: “But you just don’t know do you? It’s deep-rooted. That is her fear and her panic, especially the confirmation from Sonia when she’s seen Mick and Linda together, and it looked very intimate. That put the fear of God in her.
“Her behaviour is warranted, I’d say, in many ways. Had Linda and Mick not gotten close again and had they not really been still in love, then she would have nothing to worry about.”
The actress went on to say: “Janine would have been happy and secure in the relationship. But there is a closeness, and that’s very evident, and that is why Janine behaves the way she does.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
