EASTENDERS legend Tracy-Ann Oberman has teased a shock death twist as Chrissie Watts faces off against stepdaughter Sharon next week.
The actress – who plays killer Chrissie for a special week of episodes of the BBC soap – is returning after 19 years after her last appearance.
She was seen in last night’s episode in the cell next to Sharon who was sent down for contempt of court.
The two will come face to face on Monday in a run of explosive episodes with twists and turns – and it could spell the end for one of them.
“It’s a real rollercoaster of a ride as Sharon and Chrissie come face to face again,” said Tracy-Ann.
“They were once extremely close but Chrissie murdered her father and lied to her about it, but equally they did trust each other, and they both understood each other very well.
“I think all the emotions will be present – love, jealousy, hatred, passion, joy and revenge.
“Will there be a resolution? That is the big question over the week and will they both come out of it alive and will they both come out of it with some closure? Who knows…”
And the Chrissie Sharon meets is not the one she punched in the airport – this Chrissie has changed.
Tracy-Ann added: “I think it’s made her tougher. I think it’s made her very singular in her own survival and I think it’s given her a long time to think about that relationship with Den, and what he drove her to.
“I don’t think she’s softened, if anything I think she’s gotten harder because she’s had to survive.
“She’s obviously had a really tough time in prison and let’s not forget that she put Sam Mitchell behind bars, and the Mitchell’s have got long arms that reach into all sorts of areas.
“I kept having to try and work out why Chrissie had been in prison over the last 19 years because as I say, it’s longer than most murderers, so obviously stuff has gone on in prison that has kept her there!
“She’s not the youngest of the prisoners, and she’s not the physically toughest of the prisoners but she’s definitely got something about her.
“She’s got charisma and charm, and the key thing for Chrissie is that she’s got very powerful skills of persuasion so she has risen to the top.”
And the reunion between the two is set to be explosive.
The Sun’s Soaps editor Carl Greenwood reveals why Chrissie Watts’ return could be brilliant
EASTENDERS bosses could be playing a blinder bringing the iconic Chrissie Watts back – but only if they get it right.
It’s a tale as old as soap that bringing back a legendary character will get fans very excited and this is no exception.
Actress Tracy Ann Oberman is a rare breed amongst soap actors – she’s phenomenally talented and played a truly iconic character for a relatively short period of time but didn’t become typecast.
She’s gone onto huge success across the industry, whether it be for her recent powerhouse performance in The Merchant of Venice, or her long-running role showing off her comedy chops as Aunt Val in Friday Night Dinner.
So coming back is a risk – both for Tracy and the show.
For EastEnders has been having a bit of an issue making iconic returns, well iconic.
Cindy Beale’s return started off promising and then sort of fell by the wayside.
Her recent bad boy ways have finally kicked things up a gear reminding us all that Cindy is more than just Ian Beale’s wife.
But for every Cindy there’s a Sam – Mitchell, in this case – whose return offered so much promise, and yet amounted to so little.
Now with Chrissie back, there is hope that actress Kim Medcalf may agree to return once more and I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
However there was an another high profile EastEnders return of an iconic character that didn’t so much fail to launch as sink without trace – Janine Butcher.
Like Chrissie, Janine was a return that fans desperately wanted.
And then she returned and got bogged down with Mick Carter’s exit and everything great about Janine flopped.
Hopefully bosses have learned from the experience because the same fate must not befall Chrissie.
She is too much of a good character to be let down, and Tracy Ann is too much of a great actress to not be given the material to sparkle on screen.
So let’s hope they get it right…
“It’s the meeting of two strong Watts women, but 19 years have elapsed,” the actress revealed.
“Is Chrissie pleased to see an old friendly face? Or has she used the last 20 years to fester on what Sharon did to her which was not letting her escape with Jake, the love of her life.”
