More than 22 million EastEnders viewers tuned in to see Bianca Jackson and Ricky Butcher walk down the aisle together 12 years ago.There was a sense of déjà vu for those same fans this week, as pictures emerged of the couple getting hitched for the second time.
The on-screen couple, played by Sid Owen and Patsy Palmer, have had a chequered love life and their supporters will be hoping it's plain sailing for them this time around.But nothing runs smoothly in soap land, and in typical EastEnders' style, the happy day looks set to be ruined by a family spat.
Moments before she is due to walk down the aisle, feisty redhead Bianca is stunned to learn her husband-to-be has invited her estranged mum Carol.
After some harsh words, mother and daughter come to blows in the churchyard.
The bride ends up on the ground, her white halter neck gown stained, before Billy Mitchell – played by Perry Fenwick – intervenes.
Carol has not been seen in Albert Square since 1999 when she discovered her boyfriend Dan was having an affair with Bianca – still married to Ricky at the time.
Thankfully it's not all doom and gloom. To share in her special day, Bianca invites her siblings, Sonia – played by Natalie Cassidy – and Robbie – actor Dean Gaffney. The family reunion is the first time Robbie, who walks the bride down the aisle, has been seen in Walford since 2004.
Natalie's character – who last appeared in the soap two years ago – acts as a bridesmaid for Bianca, alongside the redhead's daughters Whitney and Tiffany.
Perhaps what's most surprising about the photos is that the soon-to-be husband and wife are not currently a couple in the soap.
But they are said to give in to their feelings over Christmas before planning their wedding, which airs in February to coincide with the BBC soap's 25th anniversary.
