Eastenders star Rita Simons sparked speculation her character Roxy Mitchell could return from beyond the grave

EastEnders fans have predicted Roxy Mitchell’s return from the grave after actress Rita Simons confirmed she was filming in east London.

Fans of the BBC soap were elated the brassy blonde had returned to home turf and speculated another stint on Albert Square was in store.

Other hugely excited telly addicts suggested a Roxy Mitchell spin off, alongside sister Ronnie Mitchell, was in store for online broadcaster Netflix.

EastEnders: Actress Rita Simons sparked fan frenzy as viewers speculated Roxy Mitchell could return from beyond the grave

EastEnders viewers were left devastated when the siblings died in a harrowing plot line which saw them both drown a year ago.

They faced more misery on Friday when they feared the memory of Roxy and Ronnie, played by Sam Womack, would be erased for good when Mel Own took over R&R.

The Walford nightclub, formerly owned by Mel’s deceased husband Steve, was named after the ladies following their death.

Rita Simons played Roxy Mitchell but was killed off in a devastating drowning plotline

Yet just a year after their passing, they believed Mel’s new ownership would signal a name change.

Though they were given fresh hope with Rita’s new picture Tweet, which saw her snap a wall in the EastEnd, where fictional Walford is set, before writing: “East London. Filming. I’ll let you know soon! #I’mHome.”

She added a video camera and love heart Emoji to her message as she kept coy about the specifics of her new role.

EastEnders: Rita Simons and Samantha Womack had been working together for almost ten years before the on-screen siblings were killed off

The message sparked a fan frenzy as one replied: “Omg r u returning to EastEnders pleeeaaasseee or R&R,” as a second quizzed: “EastEnders?” 

Another speculated: “Its for a Netflix series, The Adventures Of R&R, following Ronnie & Roxy after faking their deaths” before a fourth tellingly typed out the EastEnders theme tune and put: “Duff duff duff duff duff duff.”

Viewers were left shocked and saddened this time last year when Ronnie and Ronnie Mitchell were killed off in dramatic New Year’s Day scenes.

The sisters died in a swimming pool, just hours after Ronnie had tied the knot with Jack Branning.

Yet in January, they were up in arms as producers appeared to forget the anniversary of their deaths.