Ronnie confirms that Thomas Law has reprized his role as Peter Beale after his shock return

EastEnders has confirmed that Thomas Law is permanently reprising his role as Peter Beale following his shock return on Thursday’s episode.

The actor, 30, wowed fans when he reappeared as Peter in the BBC soap after a 13-year absence from the show, alongside co-star Jacqueline Jossa, making a one-off appearance.

The pair made a comeback amid Cindy Beale’s explosive return from the dead, with Peter secretly living with his mother in France alongside father Ian Beale – who also returned.

And while Jacqueline has only made a cameo in the soap, EastEnders has verified that Thomas will be returning to Walford later this summer alongside stalwarts Michelle Collins and Adam Woodyatt.

In an Instagram post, show bosses teased that Peter’s return home will be “far from smooth sailing” after he fled Albert Square on bad terms with his grandmother Kathy and brother Bobby.

Thomas spoke of stepping back into Peter’s shoes: ‘Over the years I had hoped for a return to The Square, although I never thought it would happen, so it’s an absolute pleasure to be back in Walford as Peter Beale .

“It’s been great to see familiar and new faces, and I can’t wait to explore the character again in the wake of Cindy’s return – it’s an exciting time to return!”

While executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Thomas back to the role of Peter Beale. While his time away from the Square was short-lived, the Beale family dynamic has changed a lot since he last left Walford.

Viewers will soon learn the details of how he found out his mother, Cindy, was still alive, and how he and father, Ian, reconciled their differences.

“We’re thrilled to have him back for good, but one thing is certain: the Beale’s comeback will be nothing short of explosive for The Square.”

The character of Peter last appeared in 2022, when the character (played by Dale Hudson at the time) did a runner after emptying Kathy Beale’s bank account.

Before that, Ben Hardy – who has since achieved Hollywood fame in X-Men and Bohemian Rhapsody – played the character between 2013 and 2015.

He had replaced Thomas who played Peter between 2006 and 2010.

It comes after Jacqueline Jossa left fans completely speechless when she appeared on screen in the opening moments of the episode to visit the Beale family in their European home.

She and Peter weren’t the only familiar faces to appear on the soap this week as Michelle Collins returned to her role of Cindy Beale, while Adam Woodyatt also returned as her long-suffering husband Ian Beale.

Jacqueline’s grand entrance saw Lauren arrive at the Beale family’s home in Europe to visit Peter and their son Louie, unaware that they were also living with Cindy and Ian.

Fans were in awe of Jacqueline’s surprise return and took to Twitter to comment on the well-kept secret, while also blasting about Thomas being recast as Peter.

Jacqueline’s return came after her one-off return on the BBC soap for Dot Cotton’s funeral, and she recently put a stop to rumors she’d be returning as Lauren, with her performance coming as an even bigger shock to fans.

By January she had insisted: ‘I’ve just been inundated with people who are nice, but thinking I’m coming back to Eastenders full-time, I don’t know if anything was taken from an interview or totally made up, but either way. I just shut down any rumors or stories.

“I am not on my way back to the square full-time, there are no talks, I have not yet confirmed a return.

“Nor am I saying I would never go back, when and if the time is right, I would very much like to.”

Thursday’s episode also saw Cindy’s complex backstory finally revealed, 26 years after she was reported to have died in childbirth in prison.

Her death was off screen at the time of her 1998 departure, and it was revealed that all was not as it seemed in Thursday’s episode.

Cindy made her epic return to the soap opera in the closing moments of Wednesday’s episode, when she was finally revealed to be George Knight’s mysterious ex-wife Rose.

And in Thursday’s episode, the huge twist of how she’s still alive was finally revealed, as she was spotted living with her husband Ian in Europe.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline gave fans a fun behind-the-scenes look at her unexpected soap opera cameo by posting a gallery of snaps with fellow returnees Adam Woodyatt and Thomas Law on Friday.

The actress’s one-off return had been completely concealed ahead of Thursday’s airing, leaving viewers baffled when she appeared onscreen.

And Jacqueline shared a collection of fun photos along with her co-stars, sharing her excitement about appearing alongside Thomas.

She also shared an image of the moment where Adam playfully snapped her selfie with Thomas, along with a cute mirror image of her getting her makeup done for the scenes.

Jacqueline captioned her post: Surprise! Photo bombed by the one and only @adamwoodyatt!!

“Glad to see you guys back where you belong @thomaslaw44 was my first Peter, I remember watching the show when I was younger and rooting for Lauren and Peter before I knew I’d ever be her.”