EastEnders star Dean Gaffney made his first appearance as Robbie Jackson back in December 1993.
The actor, 44, starred on the BBC soap for more than a decade before departing in 2004.
Robbie, who is the half-brother of Bianca Jackson, was a happy go lucky resident in Walford and was rarely seen without his trust companion Wellard the dog.
READ MORE: EastEnders fans ‘expose’ Walford’s next serial killer as ‘creepy’ new love interest
The I’m A Celeb star reprised the iconic role in 2010, 2015 and 2017, remaining on the show until 2019 and starring in a whopping 978 episodes.
Whilst Robbie hasn’t been seen in a few years, there are plenty of reasons to support the return of the character.
Lily baby daddy support
(Image: BBC)
Across his three decades on the square, Robbie became close with many residents, including Martin Fowler who was once married to his half-sister Sonia Fowler.
At the moment, Martin is attempting to deal with one of the most difficult periods in his life after discovering his 12 year old daughter Lily is pregnant.
Could Robbie return and help Martin deal with the fallout of Lily’s unplanned pregnancy?
Instagram clue
(Image: instagram.com/natcass1)
Last month, rumours began circulating that Robbie could be on his way back to the square after Dean cosied up to his on-screen sister Natalie Cassidy and their co-star Jamie Borthwick.
The trio were spotted enjoying lunch before Natalie, 39, shared a snap to her Instagram.
She captioned the nostalgic shot: “When you have the January blues the only thing to do is have lunch with these pair. Laughed so much I nearly wet myself. Love you both @jamie_b10 @deangaffney.”
Unsurprisingly, the post sparked frenzy amongst fans who flooded the comments asking about potential return for Robbie.
(Image: BBC)
One fan commented: “Will Robbie come back? I’m watching classic Eastenders the one where Sonia has a phantom pregnancy. Love you 3.”
“Is Robbie coming back to EastEnders Great photo btw,” added a second.
Another person wrote: “Omg Dean!! Is he back? Brilliant news,” as someone else shared: “Love seeing Robbie. Wish he would come back to EE.”
While multiple fans begged: “Bring back Robbie!”
Dream return
(Image: BBC / Kieron McCarron)
Dean Gaffney himself admitted he will “probably go back” to the role that put him on the map all those years ago.
The actor was quietly axed in 2019 after he reportedly begged a stranger to send him sexy snaps.
Speaking on The Matt Haycox Show podcast in 2022, he said: “The thing is, I’ll get that 1,000th [episode] because I will, at some point, probably go back.
“The saddest thing [about missing out on the milestone] is when you get to 1,000 episodes the powers that be come down, bring some flowers and make a big fuss of you.”
He continued: “I’ve been back and forwards like a yo-yo now on EastEnders. Five or six times, probably the most of any actor or actress on the show.
(Image: Getty Images)
“My first stint was for just under 11 years. I think I would’ve got to around 700 episodes then. It’s very easy to rack up those episodes if you’re in them.
“But unless you’re Danny Dyer and you’re in the Queen Vic you’re not going to be in every episode.
Dean went on to say: I think Perry Fenwick [Billy Mitchell] got it the last time I was there, he did 1,000 episodes, but he was there like 18 years.
“EastEnders is 10 minutes up the road from where I live, so, of course, that would be the dream [to go back].
“It’s most people’s pensions, people who are there long-term. And it’s home. It’s all a family.”
The door is open
(Image: Sunday Mirror)
While Dean noted his punishment was “harsh” but fair, Dean revealed producers left the door open for the character to return and insisted it will happen “at some point”.
In an exclusive chat with Daily Star in 2020, he said: “I had a meeting with the boss and they said, ‘The door is left open for Robbie and we will definitely see you in the future’.
“It will happen at some point. It’s just a case of when it happens. So I can’t complain about that.
“It’s nice to know. It’s a bit cliched to say it, but I have been associated with that show on and off for 27 years and that’s a big chunk of my life.
“It’s like a family. It’s somewhere I love to be and you can’t buy that.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
