Cora Cross' unexpected return to EastEnders on Monday as left fans thrilled, as actress Ann Mitchell reprised her role on the BBC soap after eight years, but does another comeback loom?

Fans of EastEnders think it's only a matter of time before another character returns to the show after Monday's twist.

Cora Cross, played by actress Ann Mitchell, made a surprise comeback to the BBC soap in the episode to visit her grandchildren, Lauren and Oscar Branning. The scenes left fans thrilled, with it kept out of spoilers as a surprise for viewers.

Some called for a full-time comeback for the favourite, as others predicted it sealed the return of another show character. As Cora explained by her daughter, Oscar and Lauren's mother, Tanya wasn't there, fans believed it was a clue to her heading back to the show.

With mentions of Tanya recently, theories she will be her ex Max Branning's New Year's Day bride and now Cora's comeback, fans think Tanya us going to head back to the show.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

A fan said: "This has to lead to a possible full time Tanya Cross return - I feel like the writers have been baiting us for ages and a Tanya return would play into the FF as well." Another agreed: "CORA RETURN MEANS TANYA’S RETURN LOOMS," as a third said: "Her return looms."

It comes as Max is set to marry a mystery bride on New Year's Day 2027, as teased in a recent flashforward episode. What we also know is that ahead of this big episode, Max falls out with his brother Jack Branning, while Max's niece Penny Branning recently confirmed her pregnancy.

These details have sparked a new theory that Penny's mother and Jack's ex Selina will head back to the show after years away. They think in a twist, Max will get with Selina and it will be their wedding, leading to his drama with sibling Jack.

So does Jack fall out with Max over a new romance with Selina, his ex? Fans are certainly predicting the new twist, believing it's Selina that Max will marry amid his arrest and a gunman targeting the Brannings, all set to be shown in January next year.

Taking to social media, one fan shared: "Max will be marrying Selina Branning (Penny's Mum). This is why Jack isn’t happy with Max as he’s marrying his ex-wife / Penny's mum. They’ll either start a relationship when she returns or they may have seen each other briefly when Max was not on the square (similar to his relationship with Zoe).

"The Cindy, Chelsea and Linda scene is a misdirect, but I believe he will sleep with all these women at some point during the year. Baby Ethan is Penny and Vinny’s daughter. This is also why Selina will return to the square as she’ll find out her daughter is pregnant."

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .