Danny Dyer is set to make his return to EastEnders this week. Ahead of his highly-anticipated comeback on Friday, new photos have been released from his first scenes back on the BBC soap. The pictures show the pub landlord sat in the kitchen of the Queen Vic looking at documents, seemingly unaware that his mum Shirley (Linda Henry) has signed away the freehold to fund repairs and save the family dog, Lady Di, forging his signature in the process. But with Mick now examining the paperwork, it seems only a matter of time until he discovers the truth.
EastEnders star Danny Dyer is set to return to the BBC soap as Mick Carter on Friday
There are a number of other matters to be resolved. Mick will be faced with the news that Fi Browning (Lisa Faulkner) is now is control, and that she made the decision to sack Tracey. And what will he make of new bar manager Woody (Lee Ryan), who has certainly been making his presence felt since Mick left for Bulgaria in order to look after sick Nancy? A source previously told the Sun: "Danny is going to be straight back into the thick of it when his character returns to our screens and his character Mick Carter immediately finds a new enemy. Mick is left seriously riled when Walford's new villain Woody rocks up on the square – and even lands a job alongside him in the Vic. There's going to be ongoing beef between the two hardmen and eventually it all kicks off."
The pub landlord will soon discover mum Shirley has signed away the freehold on the Queen Vic
Last month, 39-year-old Danny was spotted back on set after a six-week break. The star spent time in South Africa, apparently recuperating after suffering from "exhaustion" in February. At the time, a BBC spokesperson said that Danny was on a "short break", and confirmed that he had not quit the show, nor was the break enforced. "Danny is on a short break from EastEnders. This was not enforced by bosses, nor has he quit the show," the statement read. Danny joined EastEnders in 2013, and has become one of the soap's most popular stars. He has won two National Television Awards for serial drama performance for his role.