EastEnders aired the return of a character on Wednesday night, six years after they were last seen on the
BBC soap. The character left residents reeling too, as she arrived and dropped a huge bombshell on those living in Walford. Linda Carter's mother Elaine Peacock made her big comeback after six years away, while she looked a little different as the role has been recast - now played by
Actress Harriet Thorpe. She was confirmed to be the new owner of The
Queen Vic in dramatic scenes, leaving characters shocked. Elaine last appeared on the show back in 2017, first appearing with Linda three years earlier in 2014. EastEnders' Reiss drops devastating bombshell as secret wife's real identity exposed EastEnders aired the return of a character on Wednesday night ( Image: BBC) She was played by West End actress Maria Friedman at this time, and now Elaine is making a full-time return to the BBC soap. EastEnders recently confirmed West End and TV actress Harriet was taking on the role, and would be part of a new Walford family called The Knights. Not only that, but Elaine is the new co-owner of The Vic alongside daughter Linda - and there are consequences ahead for the pair. The episode saw Linda exposed on Wednesday night, as residents finally learned who the new owner of the pub was, after other residents had been led astray. Linda had led two other residents on by making them think they had a chance to be the new owner. Nish Panesar and Sharon Watts both wanted to go into business with Linda. Both candidates learned they had been lied to in the latest episode and they were furious, as they waited to find out who had got The Vic. Linda Carter's mother Elaine Peacock made her big comeback ( Image: BBC) Suddenly, Elaine stormed through the doors and surprised her daughter with her arrival, as she confirmed to Sharon and Nish that she was the new owner. It comes after the star playing Elaine teased "big consequences" ahead for her and the family, as news of her return ruffles feathers. Teasing what happens in the fallout, actress Harriet said: "I think they’re both hugely shocked, with big consequences." Asked if her arrival will be smooth sailing, she added: "Of course not! There’s always some drama!" She went on of what Elaine will bring to Walford: "Some laughs, a bit of wit, a bit of wisdom and a strong woman. I don’t think she stirs [up trouble] but whenever there is any, she sorts it out immediately." EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Read More Emmerdale hints character already knows Nicky's secret - but it's not Kim or Gabby Read More Emmerdale's Chloe leaves villager reeling as she reveals true identity of her baby's dad Read More Emmerdale's Adrian's identity exposed as he teams up with Caleb ahead of Kim revelation Read More I'm A Celebrity's Joe Swash latest to be brutally axed from show days before final Read More Emmerdale's Tom King struggles with secret turmoil after mystery return