EASTENDERS fans are certain an iconic character will return amid Bobby Beale’s impending exit.

Viewers already know actor Clay Milner Russell is departing the BBC soap after five years playing Bobby.

Ahead of the character’s exit, however, fans are convinced show bosses will bring back his adoptive mum Jane Beale (Laurie Metcalfe).

Their suspicions come after Bobby referenced Jane in last night’s episode.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one person wrote: “I could stay with my mum” please say Jane returning again and Bobby goes to live with her IS his exit. It would be the perfect ending.”

Another penned: “I hope Jane comes back tomorrow for Bobby’s exit. Otherwise the forgiving scenes they shared would be pointless.”

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They later added: “JANE MENTION! SHE HAS TO COME BACK TOMORROW FOR BOBBY’S EXIT!!!!!”.

While another viewer remarked: “Jane mention! BRING HER BACK I BEG #EastEnders.”

Jane previously made a surprise return earlier in the year, which saw her reunite with Bobby, ex-husband Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and former stepson Peter (Thomas Law)

She also met Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and George Knight (Colin Salmon) for the first time.

The soap meanwhile hinted Jane had reunited with ex-partner Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) off-screen.

As for Bobby, he’s currently going through a tough time in Walford, after finding his best mate Freddie (Bobby Brazier) and girlfriend Anna (Molly Rainford) kissing.

EastEnders fans sickened as Bobby Beale makes move on step-sister Anna Knight in ‘disgusting’ incest scenes

With the pair having slept together previously, Bobby was enraged after assuming they’d gone behind his back again.

To make matters worse, he had also deduced Anna’s pregnancy – which she’d been keeping a secret – leaving Bobby questioning if Freddie was the father.

Fans have not held back in their opinions of the love triangle storyline, as one wrote: “Can’t take much more of this Freddie/Anna/Bobby love triangle.”

Another fumed: “Ruining the show! Abysmal abysmal abysmal!

Best soap affair love triangles

LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?

EASTENDERS

Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.

Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.

Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.

Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.

Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.

A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.

CORONATION STREET

Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.

He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.

But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.

Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.

When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.

Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.

Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.

But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.

EMMERDALE

Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.

She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.

Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.

Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.

However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.

“Blend these two together and Hollyoaks actors are still superior- it hurts my heart to exclaim such words about the mighty Eastenders! Viva la axe.”

A third penned: “I don’t believe anyone is remotely interested in this Anna, Freddie and Bobby nonsense.”