Bad girl Janine to return to EastEnders

Charlie Brooks back to her square roots.

Charlie Brooks has signed a deal to return to EastEnders to play Janine, the BBC say. She will be back filming on the Square this summer for scenes that will air in the Autumn.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to EastEnders. I loved coming back earlier this year for Frank’s funeral. It gave me a taste for playing Janine again. And I’m excited to see what Janine will be getting up to now she is returning to Albert Square”. – Charlie Brooks

Brooks is the third actress to play Frank’s troublesome daughter who has appeared in the soap on and off since 1989. A troubled young girl, Janine grew up to become one of soapland’s biggest bitches with a catalogue of dastardly deeds to her name including marrying Barry Evans for his money before coldly watching him die after she accidentally pushed him off a mountain-top.

Brooks bowed out of the soap in 2004 after a five year stint but made a brief return earlier this year in a storyline that paid tribute to Mike Reid and celebrated his character of Frank Butcher. Reports at the time suggested a potential further comeback.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that Charlie Brooks is rejoining EastEnders. With her appearances last month, she reminded us what a fine actress she is, and what an intriguing, watchable and engaging character she plays as Janine. Rejoining us for a longer stint will give us a chance to understand what makes Janine tick, to see what lies beneath the surface of this unique character, and to find out from where she got that flashy big black car..” – EastEnders boss Diederick Santer