EastEnders nabs Dean Gaffney as Robbie Jackson for full-time role

EastEnders fans will be delighted with the news that the BBC One soap is welcoming back one of its classic characters, Robbie Jackson.

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The beloved road sweeper is set to arrive in Walford very soon, returning from India where he has been living with his wife Nita (Bindya Solanki).

Robbie was a cheeky teenager when he first arrived in Albert Square with the Jackson family over 20 years ago and his comeback will mark the first full-time contract on the soap for actor Dean Gaffney in 14 years.

And the 39-year-old TV star admitted he’s thrilled to be reunited with his cast mates, adding: “I’m really happy to be back. I’m so lucky to be given the chance to work again with such a talented group of people. A big thank you to Sean and the team.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Since he was axed from the show in 2003, Robbie returned for a few episodes for various Jackson family events, including the wedding of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), and the send off for his mother Carol Jackson’s (Lindsey Coulson) during which he discovered his furry friend well’ard had passed away.

However, BBC bosses are delighted that they’ve nabbed Dean for a more permanent fixture on the soap and believe Robbie’s return will touch viewers’ hearts.

The soap’s executive producer, Sean O’Connor said: “I’m thrilled to welcome back Dean as Robbie Jackson, one of EastEnders’ most loved and most popular characters.

“Bridge Street Market has never quite been the same without Robbie policing it in his hi-viz jacket.

“Dean brings a wonderful warmth and fun to his portrayal of Robbie and I’m sure that audiences will take him to their hearts again, just as they have always done.”

Dean said in October 2015, that he was keen to return for a longer stint on the soap so he can find out just what trouble his character has got himself into since moving abroad.

He said: “It would be interesting to see where Robbie’s been. It’s been nice to dip in for these eight episodes but they haven’t really gone down the route of what Robbie’s actually been up to as obviously it’s feeding into Lindsey’s [Coulson] storyline, who plays Carol, so it would be interesting to see if they want to take that up in the future.”

Needless to say we can’t wait to find out what EastEnders writers have in store for kind-hearted Robbie. Will he return to the square with a new companion?