Laila Morse to rejoin 'EastEnders' as Big Mo

EastEnders is set to welcome back one of its most beloved characters as Big Mo is set to return to Albert Square.

Mo Harris is played by Laila Morse, who quit the BBC One soap in 2021 but has now been announced to be making a return for a short stint later this summer.

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Talking about her return, Morse, 76, said: “I always have so much fun playing Mo so I can’t wait to get back to the Square and see what mischief she gets up to this time.

“I’ve missed my on-screen family so much and can’t wait to see everyone again.”

Big Mo was last seen leaving Albert Square in June 2021 as she set sail for a new life aboard a cruise ship with Fat Elvis (Shenton Dixon).

Her reasons for coming back to Walford haven't been shared yet, but EastEnders fans will know that Big Mo always has some sort of scheme up her sleeve, so it's unlikely to be a simple family visit.

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She has even been known to target her own family for her get rich quick plots, with one storyline including lying that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) had died in order to steal financial donations to her funeral.

Morse joined the soap more than 20 years ago in 2000, but briefly left in 2016 before being brought back in 2018 and sticking around in the role until 2021.

However, this time she looks set to be making a guest appearance rather than rejoining the main cast, with her episodes set to film over the summer.

There have been a number of recent cast shake-ups in EastEnders, with Maddy Hill making a shock exit from her role as Nancy Carter and on-screen dad Mick, played by Danny Dyer, set to leave at Christmas.

Danielle Harold is being written out of her role as Lola Pearce and other cast exits include Ricky Champ who plays Stuart Highway, Dayle Hudson as Peter Beale, Barbara Smith as Dana Monroe and Jada Lennox actor Kelsey Calladine-Smith.

Watch: EastEnders cast on the show's shake-up