Jennifer Metcalfe made a surprise return to Hollyoaks as her character Mercedes McQueen came back from the dead. The actress, who left the soap in November of last year, took to Twitter to confirm the news.
"It's good to be back," Jennifer posted online alongside a smiley face emoticon, after Tuesday's episode had aired.
Viewers were able to see her character Mercedes very much alive and kicking, living a life of luxury in the south of France.
© Photo: TwitterJennifer Metcalfe, as Mercedes McQueen, has made a permanent return to Hollyoaks
The last time fans saw Mercedes on screen was when she was "killed off" by gangster Grace Black, who repeatedly stabbed her victim and dragged her corpse out of the McQueen house.
At first Freddie Roscoe, played by Charlie Clapham, was thought to be the culprit but a flashback later revealed that Grace had committed the crime.
The latest Hollyoaks episode showed Mercedes secretly hiding out in Nice while Grace tries to frame Freddie for murder, with the help of Mercedes.
Grace convinces Freddie's older Joe to go out to France to see for himself that Mercedes is alive.
© Photo: Getty ImagesJennifer Metcalfe previously said on Twitter that she was 'leaving the village' and 'giving her high heels a rest'
Next month, Mercedes, who first joined the soap in 2006, is set to return as a regular cast member. She will continue to star in this week's episodes as the mystery of how she disappeared unfolds.
Jennifer, 31, was always contractually obliged to return to the show, according to Digital Spy. The actress had to announce in August that she was permanently leaving the soap after eight years – to keep the Mercedes storyline firmly under wraps.
At the time Jennifer tweeted: "Mercedes is leaving the village, she needs to give her high heels a rest – my feet are knackered."
The brunette beauty wanted to take a break from the soap, but fans are rejoicing that her savvy and ballsy onscreen character is coming back for good.
