EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis is back on the soap set for filming after her historic Strictly Come Dancing win in December.
Appearing on Tuesday's (January 11) This Morning alongside her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, Rose revealed that she has been back shooting new scenes already.
"My first day back was yesterday," she said. "It was good fun. It’s weird to be back. Everyone was so excited to see me again, back in the Vic, and it was really lovely."
Related: EastEnders releases first look images of new set as filming begins
The pair are heading out on the official Strictly Come Dancing Tour with plenty of the rest of the class of 2021, alongside Max George and Maisie Smith returning from the 2020 series, with the latter stepping in to replace AJ Odudu after the nasty injury that also caused her to drop out of the final.
Although Rose isn't going anywhere when it comes to Albert Square, soap fans were shocked when it was confirmed that her on-screen dad Danny Dyer would be leaving later this year when his contract ends.
Speaking on his podcast, the Mick Carter actor said: "I always debate whether I want to sign again, and I've been contemplating a while now about maybe it's time to roll the dice, take the leap.
"[I've] not been poached by anybody. That's not true at all. The big news is that I've decided not to renew my contract. That's all... I'm 44 now, and I've had nine years of playing Mick and I think he needs to be rested for a bit."
The BBC has also strongly denied that multiple cast members are planning to exit in the wake of Dyer's departure, calling tabloid reports "speculative nonsense".
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One. This Morning airs on weekdays from 10am on ITV.
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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer and resident Welsh person at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016.
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