The notorious Chrissie Watts is back, and one thing is for certain, there are sure to be fireworks…

After more than 19 years apart, Sharon comes face to face with Chrissie Watts, the woman who killer her beloved father, in prison. With Sharon now harbouring a murderous secret that has uncanny parallels to that of her step-mothers crime, only time will tell if their reunion will offer space for forgiveness, or whether it will be handbags at dawn…

Tonight, Chrissie’s return storyline was finally revealed. How did you react when Chris Clenshaw first told you about the storyline?

“I did say to Chris before we even discussed Chrissie coming back, ‘what’s the storyline?’ and he rang me, and I remember sitting down on a bench outside a coffee shop because it was such a good storyline. It was fun, and I just kept thinking it’s like Orange is the New Black. It’s brilliant.”

What did you think when you read the script?

“When I read the script, I just kept thinking this is like Orange is the New Black meets Prisoner Cell Block H, meets Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It was just great. I’ve had so many years of people asking me what happened in Chrissie’s court case, and if she would ever come back because people loved that character. I sometimes would wonder what Chrissie was up to so it’s really lovely to be able to come back and revisit that woman. I have to thank Tony Jordan and Sarah Phelps for creating that character and writing for her so well.”

What impact has prison had on Chrissie?

“I think she went to prison longer than most real murderers! And I’ve always said if she had a better lawyer, she would have got off for mitigating circumstances. I think it’s made her tougher. I think it’s made her very singular in her own survival and I think it’s given her a long time to think about that relationship with Den, and what he drove her to. I don’t think she’s softened, if anything I think she’s gotten harder because she’s had to survive. She’s obviously had a really tough time in prison and let’s not forget that she put Sam Mitchell behind bars, and the Mitchell’s have got long arms that reach into all sorts of areas.

I kept having to try and work out why Chrissie had been in prison over the last 19 years because as I say, it’s longer than most murderers, so obviously stuff has gone on in prison that has kept her there! She’s not the youngest of the prisoners, and she’s not the physically toughest of the prisoners but she’s definitely got something about her. She’s got charisma and charm, and the key thing for Chrissie is that she’s got very powerful skills of persuasion so she has risen to the top.”

Does Chrissie harbour any guilt for killing Den? And do you think she sees herself as a victim or a villain?

“I think she’s had time to realise what a horrible, toxic man Den Watts was. She also understands that relationship a lot better, and how he was the sort of man that could get under your skin as a woman, and how he could push you to the edge. He was an arch manipulator, a liar and a coercive controller, and twenty years on, the reality and understanding of that relationship has really sunk in.”

Chrissie and Sharon are about to come face-to-face with each other in prison. What can you tease about that first reunion?

“It’s the meeting of two strong Watts women, but 19 years have elapsed. Is Chrissie pleased to see an old friendly face? Or has she used the last 20 years to fester on what Sharon did to her which was not letting her escape with Jake, the love of her life.”

What was it like to work with Letitia Dean again?

“Oh my god, Tish [Letitia Dean] is a joy. We were very close twenty years ago, and life takes you down different paths so we hadn’t really run into each other. We both looked at each other after a couple of scenes and went ‘wow, this is really good’. We work extremely well together. We both work really hard, but we laugh a lot, and she is an absolute joy; I just love her.”

What was it like on that first day of filming?

“Acting in a scene is like playing tennis, and having a good partner means you get a really good volley. When we both met up, there was an acknowledgement of how much we enjoy each other’s company, and how good it was going to be to acting in these two-hander scenes.”

Was it fun playing out those scenes together?

“So much fun. I’ve spent the last year in Shakespeare land playing a very intense character in Shylock against a very harsh setting of 1936 fascism, so to come straight out of that and to go in playing Chrissie with Sharon in prison was the biggest joy. I don’t think I stopped laughing from the minute I arrived on the first day, until the day I left. She’s a brilliant woman, and I love her dearly.”

Without telling us too much, can you tease some of the drama that is ahead for your character?

“It’s a real rollercoaster of a ride as Sharon and Chrissie come face to face again. They were once extremely close but Chrissie murdered her father and lied to her about it, but equally they did trust each other, and they both understood each other very well. I think all the emotions will be present – love, jealousy, hatred, passion, joy and revenge. Will there be a resolution? That is the big question over the week and will they both come out of it alive and will they both come out of it with some closure? Who knows…”

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Tracy-Ann Oberman made her return to EastEnders this Thursday as Sharon Watts was taken to prison for contempt of court. But could her comeback be linked to Dean Watts?

After 15 years of absence, Chrissie Watts was finally seen back in the Square, blissfully unaware that she was inches away from her long-term foe Sharon Watts.

The EastEnders legend portrayed by Letitia Dean recently appeared in court to testify against Dean Wicks, whom she has successfully managed to frame for Keanu Taylor's murder along with the rest of the Six. But when the defence's questions took a vicious turn, she was taken out of the courtroom and held in custody over an angry outburst.

Scenes aired this Thursday (September 5) on BBC One have since shown the aftermath of Sharon's contempt of court ordeal, as she was taken away to prison, but not before finding out that her pal Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) had tried to tell the police the truth about Keanu's death.

While this eventually led her and the rest of the Six to confess to Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris), Sharon tried to talk some sense into her friend before being dragged away to spend some time behind bars.

But as she was taken to her cell, where her cellmate soundly slept, Sharon had no idea that Chrissie Watts was in her own cell next door as Tracy-Ann Oberman sensationally reprised her role in the London-based show.

Both women have shared a brutal and ongoing feud for several years after Chrissie murdered Sharon's father Den Watts alongside Zoe Slater and Sam Mitchell - a crime for which she was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2005. Her imminent comeback to the soap was announced earlier this year, leaving many viewers to theorise she may have a link to newcomer for Teddy Mitchell.

However, another theory can now be suggested - what if Chrissie has an unexpected link to Dean Wicks? The vile rapist stood trial this week for murdering Keanu Taylor but, determined not to go down for a crime he didn't commit, he ended up admitting he'd once raped Linda in 2014.

Dean Wicks was first introduced to EastEnders viewers in 2006, a year after Chrissie first stepped into her prison cell for her sentence, as the son of Shirley Carter and Kevin Wicks, though his biological father is known to be Buster Briggs.

But with Den Watts being no stranger to infidelity, Chrissie's impromptu return and the fact that both men's initials are the same, one could theorise that she may have discovered a huge secret about Dean's paternity and could even reveal that he may be Den's biological son.

With Sharon in the cell next door, she may make the most of her stay behind bars to drop the bombshell on her, which could then, in turn, throw the Six's plans to let him take the fall into turmoil, due to Sharon's need for a close-knit family.

While this is only a theory, a showdown between Sharon and Chrissie is definitely on the cards as spoilers have confirmed her return will have huge consequences. To top it all off, Chrissie has prison officers on her side, as one was spotted bringing her a pack of cigarettes from the outside world. But as she now has the upper hand, could she finally try and get brutal revenge on Sharon?

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EastEnders fans were in for a surprise as Chrissie Watts made her return to the show, leaving audiences more than a little sidetracked.

Portrayed by actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, Chrissie became an iconic figure on Albert Square from 2004 to 2005. As Dirty Den's (played by Leslie Grantham) other half, she quickly endeared herself to viewers across 218 episodes.

In her time at EastEnders, Chrissie was seen behind the bar as the landlady of the Queen Vic and was central to many dramatic plotlines. Notably, she is best known for murdering her husband Denthe father of Sharon Watts, portrayed by Letitia Dean.

As longstanding viewers will remember, it was Chrissie, together with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), who confronted the nefarious Den, leading to his grisly demise. Having initially pinned the blame on Sam, Chrissie eventually got nabbed for her crime, culminating in her departure from the series in 2005.

Flash forward 19 years, fans were shaken Thursday evening as Chrissie unexpectedly appeared back on the screen in the episode aired on September 5. This twist came as Sharon found herself hauled off to jail due to an incident earlier in the week at court, reports the Daily Star.

Some may recall Sharon's fiery tirade during Dean Wicks' (Matt Di Angelo) hearing, where she berated the judge for "slut-shaming" her. Consequently, by the week's end, Sharon found herself sentenced to a seven-day stint behind bars.

But it was the episode's final moments that stole the show: a prison officer, after confining Sharon, proceeded to the cell next door to deliver cigarettes to an anonymous inmate. The mystery woman turned out to be none other than Chrissie Watts, as the camera dramatically revealed.

Endearing soap veteran Chrissie Watts caused quite the stir as she lit up a cigarette in her cell, leaving fans abuzz on social media. Fans quickly took to an EastEnders Facebook fan page to express their surprise at the sight of Chrissie smoking, with many remarking how unusual it was to see a character "spark up" on the BBC soap.

One online devotee exclaimed: "Chrissie Watts as I live and breathe smoking a cig in the cell next door to our Queen". Someone else posted: "Chrissie sparking up in her cell? Iconic." Another followed by commenting: "Highlight of episode was the ending, she's back! ! " while another stated, "Superb ending ... loved Chrissie but isn't it strange to see someone smoking on TV?!"

Echoing similar sentiments, one viewer observed: "I thought the same, I had to pause for a moment." A different individual recalled past moments, noting: "Can't remember the last time I saw someone with a cig in hand? Max B maybe? Or Karen?"

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer EASTENDERS fans have gone absolutely wild as they spotted a 'clue' linking Chrissie Watts to a major storyline.

Viewers will today get their first peak of the iconic villain as the character makes a huge soap comeback.

Tracy-Ann Oberman, 58, played Chrissie for 18 months from 2004 until she departed the soap in December 2005.

It was previously announced that the legend was set to make an explosive return to the long-running BBC One serial drama.

In a new trailer, fans caught their first glimpse of the notorious EastEnders character after a 19-year absence.

Multiple edgy snapshots of the character were blasted on the screen alongside the tagline, 'Watch your back.'

Users couldn't help but flood X - formerly known as Twitter - with their theories as they think her return will coincide with the huge storyline around 'The Six'.

"The fact that the trailer says 'watch your back' just like the six trailer makes me think she's going to have something to do with the six," posted one viewer.

While a second noted: "The fact that this trailer resembles the SIX one with the smashed glass. Hoping she has nothing to do with the SIX!!!!"

As a third stated: "The ‘Watch. Your. Back’ Phrase came from The Six Trial Trailer.. So it’s so linked."

This week was a huge week for The Six on EastEnders with the murder trial of Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo).

Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), framed him for the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) on Christmas Day.

After she floundered on the witness stand, Sharon was sent to prison when the judge found her to be in contempt of court.

She screamed "Shut your mouth," after he commented on her multiple husbands, which included brothers Grant (Ross Kemp) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

Tonight's episode will see Sharon as she's taken to prison, but it turns out her former stepmother literally lives in the neighbouring cell.

Back in the noughties, Chrissie murdered her husband and Sharon's beloved father Den Watts (Leslie Grantham).

Chrissie Watts was played by Tracy-Ann Oberman and is widely considered to be one of the best villains in soap history.

The character first arrived in Albert Square in 2004 as she was looking for her estranged husband Den Watts.

After she was persuaded to give their marriage another go, she then discovered he had an adopted daughter, Sharon (Letitia Dean) alomng with two other children, Dennis Rickman and Vicki Fowler (Scarlett Alice Johnson).

Chrissie soon discovers that Den has been having an affair with the local ex-policewoman, Kate Morton (Jill Halfpenny). Chrissy initially worked together with Kate as hairdressers, before she got her revenge by hacking off her hair in revenge.

Chrissie and Den reconcile and she tells him that she will kill him if he ever cheats on her again. Together, they decide to defraud Sam Mitchell (Kim Metcalfe) and her family from everything, including their ownership the Queen Vic. However, she soon feels left out by Den after he begins another affair with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), when he tries to get her pregnant after she lied to Dennis Rickman.

Dennis discovers the affair, tells Chrissie and she persuades Zoe to abort the baby. Together with Sam Mitchell, they concoct a plan to get their own revenge on Den and either Chrissie or Sam will get hold of the pub.

They confront him on the night of his 37th wedding anniversary with Angie. Den is unmoved and confesses all of his wrongdoings, including Chrissie's part in defrauding the Mitchell's. However, Sharon was waiting in the shadows and she denounces Den before leaving Watford.

Chrissie taunts Den who attacks her. In turn, Zoe then hits Den with a doorstop which belonged to Den's sworn enemy Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard). Sam and Zoe panic, but a smug Chrissie taunts Den when she is left alone with him. He grabs her leg when she delivers the fatal blow to his head with the heavy object, unaware that Sam was secretly watching her.

Zoe is left unaware of the true extent of what happened that night and Chrissie allows her to think that she killed Den. The trio hide the body in the Vic, before Sam confronts Chrissie about what she truly saw. Sam demands that the ownership of the pub goes back to the Mitchell family.

Sam tells Zoe the truth about the murder and Zoe leaves Walford. but she tells Kat (Jessie Wallace) about the killing. Sam gets drunk on Sharon and Dennis' wedding day, digs up den's body in the hope that Chrissie will be sent down. But Chrissie feigns greif as she comforts Sharon over her dad's death. Sam tells the police about the murder, but when Den's blood is found under Sam's sink, complete with her changing story, she gets the blame. Chrissie also convinces Kat to get Stacey (Lacey Turner) to give a false alibi to the police that Zoe and Chrissie were with Kat her that night.

Sam's mother Peggy (Barbara Windsor) returns to Walford and slaps Chrissie who falls into Den's grave at the funeral. The matriarch also accuses her of murder by framing her daughter. Stacey soon learns the truth and she stars blackmailing Chrissie for money. In return, she then forms a relationship with Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) and she attempts to sell the Queen Vic to Jake's gangland boss Johnny Allen (Billy Murray).

After making a series of mistakes, she plans to free the country with Jake. Before then, they have an argument at Johnny's nightclub, where Chrissie confesses how she was the one who killed Den with the doorstop. Johnny then tells Phil and Grant about the tape but Chrissie and Jake are already on their way out of the country. However, they were almost stopped by Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Billy (Perry Fenwick) informs the police. At the airport, she finds herself confronted by Sharon and is arrested by police after an exchange of words and a punch to the face.

Chrissie only co-operates with the force in exchange for a meeting with Sharon, as she tries to get her to understand why she killed Den. In the meantime, Sam is released on bail but flees to Brazil with Phil's help. Jake visits her in prison and proposes to her. However, she discovers that he's lost the £25,000 that was to be her bail money and she calls him an 'idiot' before storming out. She then decides to get revenge on Sharon for sending her to prison. She attempts to force her to testify in court about what Den was like as Chrissie thinks that Sharon will crumble. But still looking at Sharon like a step-daughter she calls off her plan, fires her solicitor and pleads guilty to the murder. She is then sentenced to life imprisonment.

This led to an infamous confrontation at Heathrow airport as Chrissie attempted to flee the country.

After quoting back her last words to Den, Sharon punched Chrissie in the face before she was arrested by the cops for murder.

Now, Sharon was sentenced to the slammer for nine days by the judge as Linda confessed to killing Keanu.

With a dangerous Chrissie living right next door, how will she react?

EastEnders is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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