EASTENDERS fans are convinced wicked serial killer Grat Atkins is returning to Walford after eagle-eyed viewers spotted a giveaway clue on social media.
Gray’s (Toby-Alexander Smith) crimes finally caught up with him in March 2022. He attempted to jump off a bridge to avoid paying for his murder spree but was stopped by Whitney (Shona McGarty) and arrested.
As EastEnders fans will recall, Gray got away with murdering his wife Chantelle (Jessica Kate Plummer) after years of abuse, as well as killing, Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) and abusing his new wife Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams), for over two years before he was finally arrested.
Although he was sentenced to a lengthy prison stay, soap fans are convinced he could be back on the Square sooner than expected.
Speculation about his explosive return comes after actor Toby-Alexander said he wanted to return to the BBC soap.
Teasing a possible return during an interview with Metro.co.uk, the actor said: “I mean, I’m waiting for the phone to ring. If it does, great! I want to know what he’s up to!”
Additionally, new EastEnders boss Ben Wadley, who was officially appointed yesterday, has started following the former soap star on Instagram.
Pointing out the coincidental timing on X, formerly Twitter, one fan posted a gif of Sharon (Letitia Dean) looking suspicious and wrote: “Toby-Alexander Smith wants to return and Ben Wadey follows him on Instagram.”
“I’d love to see a comeback,” added another.
The villainous lawyer has been mentioned a number of times on the BBC soap in recent weeks as he’s continued to make moves off-screen.
In one notable scene, Chelsea and Bernie got a huge shock when they discovered a ‘For Sale’ sign at No.1, realising that Gray is selling up.
The current occupants include Chelsea, Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris), Felix Baker (Matthew Morrison) and Jordan Fox, son of Chelsea and Gray.
It’s currently unclear how Gray could return to the soap, but all the familiar faces returning to Walford ahead of the London-based soap’s 40th anniversary prove that anything is possible.
Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) had already caused drama as they rocked up on the Square in recent weeks, meanwhile further castings like Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) and David Wicks (Michael French) have also been announced.
While some viewers are convinced Toby-Alexander’s name will also make its way onto this list, others hope they never see his murderous character on the streets of Walford again.
“All these Gray mentions lately better not be hinting at a return. I never want to see that man again,” one viewer urged.
