An EastEnders legend could soon be returning to Albert Square, with fans spotting an intriguing character in new drone footage of the soap’s set.

A figure with blonde hair, wearing a white blouse and a long, grey coat can be seen strolling outside of The Queen Vic in the video that was captured by a fan over the last week.

Christmas decorations can also be seen adorning the various homes and buildings, leaving us champing at the bit for some festive action.

To add further fuel to the fire, Zoe Slater star Michelle Ryan has taken to social media to tease the potential return.

The legend I’m referring to is Sam Mitchell, who departed the BBC serial drama in February last year.

And just imagine the level of drama that actress Kim Medcalf could bring back to Walford!

An EastEnders spokesperson declined to comment when approached by Metro.

How did Sam Mitchell leave EastEnders?

Kim first stepped into Sam’s shoes for three years from 2002, taking over the role from originator Danniella Westbrook.

She then reprised the part again in 2022, departing in February last year.

Sam’s exit story saw her announce brother Phil’s (Steve McFadden) infidelity in front of their nearest and dearest at The Queen Vic.

He was left raging, and demanded she leave for good – but she wanted a part of their Aunt Sal’s (Anna Karen) inheritance before she set anything in stone.

Their relationship looked damage beyond repair, though at the time, Kim teased that there could still be future for her character.

‘I think it’s feasible that there could come a point in the future where Phil admits that Sam might have been wrong in how she did it, but the situation was all caused by his error,’ she explained.

‘Sam didn’t make up the fact he slept with Emma – she just exposed him and his deceit.

‘So, if I’m being positive, I believe there is potential for them to repair things. The Mitchells are a family who go through a lot and are used to this drama between them.

‘Right now, it feels very broken, and Sam realises it’s best to cut her losses and try to start again somewhere else. But if you think about what Grant and Phil have done to each other, this is nothing!’

Michelle Ryan ‘talking shop’ with an unknown acquaintance

With the drone footage out in the open, fans flocked to the socials to share their excitement at the prospect of Sam’s return.

One immediately picked up on a cryptic Threads post from Michelle, who appeared to be having drinks with someone she’ll be sharing scenes with in the future.

Alongside a picture of two drinks on a coffee table and an empty leather sofa, she wrote: ‘Catching up with a very good friend, talking shop… life of an actor is very good…’

A viewer joked in the comments: ‘Amazing actor. Playing a leather seat and having a drink whilst chatting with you. What’s his/her name. Where they in The couch Trip.’

Michelle, keeping her cards close to her chest, replied: ‘I couldn’t share a photo of them it would give too much away.’

This isn’t the first time that the pair have reunited, having been pictured together long before Michelle’s own much-hyped return.

What is the history between Sam and Zoe?

To put it bluntly, an on-screen catchup between these two would be explosive.

The actresses were part of one of the show’s most memorable storylines in 2005, when their characters were implicated in Den Watts’ (Leslie Grantham) murder.

Fans will remember how Den’s wife Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) bludgeoned him to death in The Queen Vic, as she confronted her husband with Zoe and Sam about his various misdeeds.

At the time, Chrissie let Zoe believe she had killed Den despite finishing him off herself and let Sam go down for the crime.

We’ve already seen Zoe clash with Den’s daughters Sharon (Letitia Dean) and Vicki (Alice Haig) over the incident, so is it high time for round two?