By Kris Green, Soaps Editor

I've been getting a lot of the same questions from my readers about certain characters in EastEnders – whether they're leaving, whether they're going and whether characters are coming back or not. So without further ado, here goes…

First up, Shirley's friend Heather (played by Cheryl Fergison). I'm told that she'll be around for a while yet and is now a semi-regular in the cast. The first time I saw her I wondered whether she'd work or not but I absolutely love her now. We'll see her cropping up every now and then on the Square and with Shirley. However, her next 'major' appearance will be during the Brighton episodes next month.

Next, Fin the Vet. I last mentioned him at the beginning of last month when it leaked onto the internet that Danny Alder would be the man portraying him. Well, he'll be on screen next week when Abi and Ben take 'Marge' and 'Marge Two' for their MOTs. It turns out that 'Marge Two' is, in fact, a boy who's impregnanted Marge. I blame Bradley (Charlie Clements).

Mitchell favourite Aunt Sal (Anna Karen) returns for wedding week – which, by the way, is UNMISSABLE – as her usual witty self. All I'm going to say is "Watch me Daddy…" Check back later in the week for an exclusive online interview with Sophie Thompson.

During the same week, Nina Wadia makes her first appearance as Post Office owner Zainab Masood. And it's not long before her daughter, Shabnam (Zahra Ahmadi), turns up to help her mother at work. Denise (Diane Parish), however, is completely unaware that Zainab is lining Shabnam up for the branch manager role…

Also during wedding week, Jay's (Jamie Borthwick) father, Jase (Stephen Lord), turns up out of the blue. We don't know much about him to start with but he's definitely one to keep an eye on. And for the thirty-somethings among you, he's naked on the Square in a couple of weeks. But which woman will he have is eye on first? Jane (Laurie Brett)? Honey (Emma Barton)? My money's on Pat (Pam St Clement).

Oh, and Jamie Borthwick is now being classed as a "regular" to the soap. From what I've read, that's good news for some.

Meanwhile, former Bad Girl Kika Mirylees returns to our screens next month as Garry Hobbs' (Ricky Groves) mum, Hazel. Again, she'll be there with Pat (Pam St Clement), newcomer Len Harker (Christopher Ellison), Garry, Minty (Cliff Parisi), Shirley (Linda Henry), Heather and Dawn (Kara Tointon) for the Brighton episodes.

And then onto the lovely Samantha Janus and Rita Simons, who joined recently as the Mitchell sister, Ronnie and Roxy. I can't wait for the pair (or should I say two pairs) to appear on screen. And within the first few days, they're already behind the bar at The Vic. I met them both last night, so check back next week for an exclusive interview.

Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) will also be popping back and forth onto the Square in the run up to daughter Stacey's (Lacey Turner) wedding to Bradley. And let's not forget Tanya Franks who plays Tanya Branning's heroin addict sister Rainie as well as Rory Jennings who plays tearaway teen, Craig Dixon.

Rainie definitely drags up a past which Tanya would rather forget, while Craig proves to be more that a chippy worker to the Beales when Lucy (Melissa Suffield) goes off the rails and falls for him.

And a roundup of those leaving: Bert Atkinson (Dave Hill) walks out of Walford on Tuesday, July 24 when he realises he’s not needed any more; and Li Chong (Elaine Tan) who has already gone. The door is, however, being left open for possible returns.

At the beginning of August, one of Walford’s favourite characters gets whacked over the head with a monkey wrench, resulting in a search for his attacker.

One source told me last night: “It’s a fantastic plot line and viewers will be left guessing as to who actually cracked him over the head. The fallout is great and it allows someone else to wreak their own revenge at the same time.”

Finally, following today's announcement that The Bill's Scott Maslen has jumped ship, I’ve also heard (on good authority) that there’s going to be another addition to the cast within the next few days… Watch this space.

I think it’s safe to say EastEnders has finally turned the corner.

Bert leaving then, what a waste.

Bert was a rubbish character anyway, and the actor who played him was rubbish as well.

Bert isn't going to be a loss to the show.

I was surprised to hear that Bert's departing. I did think the character was interesting, but he certainly isn't a major loss in my eyes. From what I've seen of him, I think Jay is brilliant and if nothing else we have Bert to thank for his introduction.

EastEnders does have to reinvent itself as a much more focused show in terms of its central characters and stories and so I do think it is a fairly sensible and brave move. As is building upon the strengths of its current cast and introducing siblings for Max and Tanya. Sounds very interesting.

Well EastEnders keep bringing in newcomers all the time and there's no stability, but Diederick Santer is doing a good job bringing in Ronnie & Roxy Mitchell, Jack Branning and Jase Dyer.

It just doesn't seem like EastEnders anymore, and there's a lack of history in the show. I mean back in the 1980s, it was the Watts, Beales and Fowlers, and then in the 1990s, the Beales and Fowlers were still around, but the Watts (Den & Angie) left and the Mitchells came into the show, but the Beales and Fowlers brought history to the show and stayed around for the 1980s and 1990s, and for a few years of the 2000s, but the Fowlers have all left the show now, and Ian, Lucy, Peter and Bobby are the only Beales left in the show.

I never liked Pauline, but she sounded like she knew her stuff and what she was talking about, with her opinions on Den & Angie and the Mitchell brothers.

Ian Beale is the only character that has been in the show since day one, and if him, Dot and Pat left, then that would be it for the show.

It's like watching a different programme at times, and EastEnders should retain it's history by holding onto Ian, Dot and Pat, but give them better storylines.

Mixed feelings. Some of it sounds great; Max's brother and Tanya's sister (with a story about drug addiction) sound brilliant; more ethnic minority characters definitely a step-up, though in reality, white people are an ethnic minority in most parts of London these days!; Craig and Lucy... something very different, and Melissa Suffield is a very promising actress...

Ronnie and Roxy is the big no-no in my eyes, but I may be proved wrong.

I hear there is going to be a story about race hate. Good stuff. This is the gritty stuff the show used to deal with - more character drama and fewer typical "soapy" plots, the better!

Well I don't like the idea of seeing two women fight like men, and all this about hitting someone over the head with a glass.

I mean I can understand Grant and Phil fighting, and men have always been physical in situations, whereas women aren't really like that if you get what I mean.

I don't want them to be all blood and thunder and go in there shouting and hitting everyone - It's not really the way girls tend to act.

Here are some pictures of the summer preview that i've found:-


I think this is Zainab Masood


Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell with Bradley Branning


Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell with Max Branning


Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell inside The Queen Vic


Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell outside The Queen Vic


Roxy Mitchell approaching Dot Cotton/Branning (I almost feel sorry for Dot and she looks as if she's being threatened by Roxy!!!)

Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell getting out of the taxi


Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell inside the taxi


Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell behind the bar (Roxy looks as if she's having a go at Billy!!!)


Jase Dyer (Jay Brown's dad)


First picture of Phil Mitchell and Peggy in The Arches (Peggy looks as if she's having a go at Phil!!!)


Second picture of Phil Mitchell and Peggy in The Arches

Third picture of Phil Mitchell and Peggy in The Arches


Phil Mitchell confronting two police detectives in The Queen Vic


Phil Mitchell being put in the car by one of the police detectives


Phil Mitchell sat in the car looking unhappy after having to go to the police station


Phil Mitchell being questioned by one of the police detectives at the police station


First picture of Phil Mitchell being beaten up by two guys

Second picture of Phil Mitchell being beaten up by two guys


Third picture of Phil Mitchell being beaten up by two guys


Phil Mitchell being beaten confronted by three guys


Billy, Ben, Honey, Peggy and Phil


Phil Mitchell comforting his son Ben


Billy, Honey, Jane and Peggy looking on concerned


Phil Mitchell on the floor in pain after being attacked

Not that these pictures are huge anyway

Bert isn't a rubbish actor, please don't say that again.

Phil looks like a cunt in some of those pics and so does Peggy.

Shame Bert's going, but I guess this could mean Jase is going to become permenant.

I agree that Phil looks a bit silly in those pictures, and it's so out of character to see him get beaten up by two or three teenage yobs. Also, his character is turning into a bit of a joke, and as for Peggy, she's even worse.

I wonder if Grant would end up getting beaten up like that by two or three yobs.

Here are some more images:-


Phil Mitchell pouring himself a scotch


Phil, Peggy, Ben and Billy, with a woman and man turning up


Phil, Peggy, Ben, Billy and Aunt Sal


Peggy, Ben and Phil