EastEnders star Jo Joyner has thanked fans after making a surprise return to the soap – but said her visit is not permanent.
The Christmas Day episode saw Joyner’s alter ego Tanya make a shock reappearance and witness daughters Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) and Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) fall from the roof of the Queen Vic.
After keeping her return under wraps, she wrote on Twitter: “Merry Christmas to all!
“Judging by my timeline it was worth all the Saturdays in the rain. Thanks for all the love guys. It’s only a visit but stay with us….. are my girls alright?”
Merry Christmas to all! Judging by my timeline it was worth all the Saturdays in the rain. Thanks for all the love guys. It’s only a visit but stay with us….. are my girls alright? #EastEnders
— Jo Joyner (@dollyjoyner) December 26, 2017
Thank you! And thanks to the newspapers and listings for helping to keep it a secret #Eastenders tanya https://t.co/MxptW0Kr5M
— Jo Joyner (@dollyjoyner) December 26, 2017
The finale of the Christmas episode saw Lauren and Abi fall to the ground after trying to help their father Max (Jake Wood) in an explosive finale.
Take an exclusive look of how we filmed the stunt from tonight's Christmas episode with @LornaFitz0 and @jacquelineMjos! #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/FSPGDJO78Z
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) December 25, 2017
The dramatic scenes came three months after Jossa and Fitzgerald announced they were leaving the BBC1 soap.