Big Mo is returning to EastEnders

Big Mo is returning to Albert Square.

Soap legend Laila Morse, 76, has confirmed her iconic alter ego on the BBC One show is set to cause more "mischief" this summer.

She said: "I always have so much fun playing Mo so I can’t wait to get back to the Square and see what mischief she gets up to this time.

"I’ve missed my on-screen family so much and can’t wait to see everyone again."

Mo's return comes as several stars prepare to leave Walford, including Danny Dyer (Mick), Danielle Harold (Lola), Ricky Champ (Stuart) and Dayle Hudson (Peter).

Mo was last seen heading for a cruise with her boyfriend Fat Elvis in 2021, leaving her sister Jean Slater to deal with a large quantity of cannabis she had left her to dispose of.

Mo's stint will be brief, with filming set to commence during the summer.

In December, Laila ruled out ever returning to ‘EastEnders’ “full-time”.

The TV star wants to focus on new adventures - like riding a motorbike and travelling - but insisted she would go back to Albert Square for “a one-off thing” or certain plotlines involving Mo, a character she has played since 2000.

Laila's latest stint on the BBC One soap lasted from 2018 to 2021.

She said: “I left in April. If they wanted me to go back for a one-off thing or a storyline lasting a couple of weeks I would but I wouldn’t go back full-time. I’m a bit too old for that. I want to do other things whether that’s travelling somewhere or riding around a country on a bike. I wouldn’t even mind learning how to ride a motorbike if somebody wants to teach me.”

The former ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ star admitted to missing the cast and crew but not the “trek” of a commute.

She said: “I miss playing Mo and I miss the people but I don’t miss the travelling there and the long journey home again at night - it was a bit of a trek. I keep in touch with Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater) and Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) - I’ll give them a ring - and I’m still in touch with Derek Martin, who played my son-in-law Charlie Slater. We talk quite a bit.”