EastEnders fans had an early Christmas present when Cora Cross returned to Albert Square.
Cora (Ann Mitchell), the grandmother of Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald), has been in and out of Walford since 2011.
HIYA! #EastEnders #cora pic.twitter.com/ANn07Px6lf
— Andi (@AndiMcLellan) December 11, 2017
She popped up close to the end of Monday night’s instalment of the BBC soap and was ready to take on troubled Max Branning (Jake Wood) – and viewers were thrilled.
“Yes! Thankyou @bbceastenders !! Queen Cora is finally home #TheBest,” one delighted fan wrote on Twitter.
Yes! Thankyou @bbceastenders !! Queen Cora is finally home 🙌 #TheBest #Cora #EastEnders
— Kylie Mulcare (@KylieMulcare) December 11, 2017
“YES!!!! Cora Cross is back,” exclaimed another, while many people posted strings of heart emojis.
#eastenders YES!!!! Cora Cross is back
— Sian (@highflyingbird4) December 11, 2017
“Cora is such a brilliant character, woefully underused. Glad to see her back to stick the boot in once more!” said another person.
Cora is such a brilliant character, woefully underused. Glad to see her back to stick the boot in once more! #EastEnders
— Anfunny™ (@Anfunny) December 11, 2017
The general consensus appeared to be that Cora should settle in for a long stint in the soap – if not a permanent one.
“I hope we see more #Cora in this new era of #EastEnders,” tweeted one hopeful viewer.
I hope we see more #Cora in this new era of #EastEnders
— TVGreen (@mcjnwsw) December 11, 2017
CORA IS BACK! #Eastenders @bbceastenders pic.twitter.com/yvo6qwiPNk
— Jason Lee ⚽ 🎶 🌅 (@ForeverAYellow) December 11, 2017
Cora returning back to the Square like ..#EastEnders 😂 pic.twitter.com/lPOEcbMI7e
— Zee Jackson (@chelzeegirl) December 11, 2017
I actually love Cora. Make her permanent! #EastEnders
— 🎄.You can call me Al. 🎄 (@2492Bambi) December 11, 2017
Another declared: “I actually love Cora. Make her permanent!”
Actress Mitchell has made several guest appearances in the soap this year.
:: EastEnders continues on Tuesday at 7.30pm on BBC One.