Sophie Lawrence and Sid Owen to return to EastEnders

Former EastEnders actors Sophie Lawrence and Sid Owen are to briefly return to the soap.

The Butcher siblings were previously reunited for 2008’s ‘Frank Week’.

The Daily Star reports the pair are reprising their roles as Diane and Ricky Butcher who will attend their sister Janine’s nuptials (Charlie Brooks). The episode(s) in question will mark the first time that the three Butcher siblings have appeared on-screen together since 2008.

Lawrence played the role of Diane on a regular basis between 1988-1991, before popping up briefly between 1993-1997 and in 2008. Diane’s storylines have seen her run away from home as a troubled teen; shirk for a while looking after her child; and, when last seen, reveal that she’s in a homosexual relationship.

New Era: The Butcher family take up the tenancy of the Queen Vic in 1988.

Owen played the role of Ricky between 1988-2000, before returning between 2002-2004 and again full-time in 2008. He left again in 2011 to focus on charity work, following Patsy Palmer – who plays Ricky’s wife Bianca – going on maternity hiatus from the saga, but made a brief return back in December as the show killed off Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement), whom Ricky regarded as a mother figure. Ricky is best known for his fiery relationship with Bianca who keeps him under her thumb.

EastEnders will air Janine and Michael’s (Steve John Shepherd) wedding episode this summer. Meanwhile, Charlie Brooks is taking a six month break from the saga, and is expected to depart on-screen in the Summer. According to reports Brooks temporary exit is to allow her to compete in Strictly Come Dancing.