Jean Slater saved from the axe

EastEnders actress Gillian Wright has been given a reprieve and will make a return to the soap at some point next year.

In April, it was reported that Wright would be leaving the show alongside Lacey Turner, who plays Jean’s daughter Stacey. As things stand, Jean will leave Albert Square as planned later this year before being written back into the plots in 2011.

“Jean Slater will leave Walford around the end of this year, however we’re pleased to say she will return to our screens in spring 2011.

 

“Everyone knows Stacey will make a dramatic departure from Albert Square on Christmas Day, but we don’t want to say too much about what this means for Jean at this point as we want viewers to enjoy the drama as it unfolds on screen.” – EastEnders spokesperson via Digital Spy

Wright made her first appearance as Jean in 2004, with the character seen on a recurring basis until 2007. Storylines have focused on Jean’s struggle with Bi Polar and complicated relationships with Stacey and son Sean (Robert Kazinsky).