EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Michael French is heading back to Albert Square as love rat David Wicks.
As reported in early May by the Daily Mirror, the East London-born actor will return to screens later this year for the first time since a brief Walford appearance in early 2012.
He filmed a handful of episodes at the time of the death of his on-screen mum Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, 70.
But the ex-car salesman had to make a swift exit from the Square after threats from Carol’s brothers, the Brannings, warning him to leave their sister alone.
Soap chiefs will no doubt hope that that the 50-year-old’s return will help boost interest in the BBC1 fixture, said to have dipped below the 5 million viewer mark on Tuesday.
EastEnders' executive producer Lorraine Newman said: "It's an absolute honour to have Michael back in the show. Michael created an iconic character in David and with such rich history - with Ian, Bianca and of course Carol - there's plenty to explore in the future."
French first appeared in the long-running soap for three years, between 1993 and 1996, and again for two weeks in 2012 as Pat was dying of cancer.
In the past he has flirted with Bianca (Patsy Palmer) but then had to reject her advances as he is her father.
That episode was watched by more than 14 million people.
Viewers were first confronted with David’s womanising ways after his first wife, Lorraine, played by Jacqueline Leonard, came into the soap in 1996.
Their marriage had been destroyed by his many infidelities.
He also had a disastrous fling with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), wife of his half-brother, Ian.
Obsessed with the idea of running off with David, Cindy hired a hitman to kill her husband. Ian was shot but survived the attack.
When David discovered what she had done he ended the relationship but helped her escape the Square.
Since leaving EastEnders, French has had roles in Holby City and Casualty.
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