EastEnders icon's cryptic three-word hint as she teases huge return

EastEnders baddie Aunt Babe could be on the verge of a dramatic comeback to Albert Square. Annette Badland, who portrayed the iconic villain from 2014 to 2017, was ousted from her family home by none other than Danny Dyer's character Mick Carter.

Following her emotional exile and cursing the famous Queen Vic in the pouring rain, it seems that Aunt Babe could be plotting her grand return to inflict more chaos in Walford.

During an appearance on a repeat broadcast of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh aired on Sunday, presenter Alan Titchmarsh quizzed Annette about a possible return.

Expressing her eagerness, Annette responded: "Yes. Yes I would.", reports the Daily Star.

The conversation continued with Alan remarking: "Well, you cursed them so we'll see what happens." and Annette teasing: "I say 'I'll be back' when? I don't know."

Alan noted optimistically: "At least you haven't been murdered. That leaves the door open to a degree." Annette reminisced fondly: "But I loved working with Danny [Dyer] and Kellie [Bright] and all of them."

Since Aunt Babe's departure, the Carters seem truly jinxed. Disaster struck soon after she left, with Sylvie Carter meeting her end in a tragic mishap in March 2017, while Mick and Linda Carter faced a devastating split only to reconcile before his mysterious disappearance at sea.

In a more recent storyline from October last year, Linda's world was shattered by her vile rapist brother-in-law Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo). The subsequent months saw the landlady grappling with Dean's oppressive presence.

This follows confirmation from EastEnders' boss Chris Clenshaw that soap legends will be making a return to celebrate the soap's 40th anniversary next year.

With heavyweights like Chrissie Watts and David Wicks already slated for a return this year, there are reportedly even bigger names lined up for next year.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer