Patsy Palmer is in good spirits as she enjoys a beach walk in Malibu with friends ahead of the dramatic return of EastEnders

Patsy Palmer was all smiles as she enjoyed a beach walk in Malibu with friends and posed for Instagram snaps on Monday ahead of her huge EastEnders return.

The TV legend, 51, looked stylish in a striking green cardigan which she teamed with a plain white T-shirt and blue ripped jeans.

Patsy let loose her long wavy auburn locks and wrapped her arms around her two friends as they posed in front of the picturesque ocean during the sunset.

It comes as Patsy was first spotted on set ahead of her brief return to screens as Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap.

Her character Bianca first appeared on screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family. She returned to screens in 2002 for a special and made another return in 2009 and 2019, before her upcoming comeback.

It comes as Patsy was first seen on set ahead of her brief return to screens as Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap

Last week, Patsy was seen filming alongside her daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy next to a police car, a move that will no doubt please longtime fans of the show.

During the evening scene, you see the heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona McGarty) getting into trouble while trying to keep an eye out for a young mysterious girl.

Bianca, Zack and Sonia were also seen trying to give Whitney a helping hand.

However, things quickly spiral out of control when the four of them encounter the young girl's mother, who is also a drug addict, and a violent fight breaks out.

Tragedy then struck quickly after heavily pregnant Whitney was suddenly hit by a car, sparking speculation that the star was about to bring a heartbreaking end to her time on the show.

During the devastating scene, Zack and Sonia can be seen looking on in utter shock as they watch Whitney get run over and the scene ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.

However, fans will have to wait and see if this tragic accident is related to her departure.

Patsy announced her return to the soap earlier this month, writing: 'I'm so excited to be reprising the role of Bianca. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, so it's always a pleasure to be back.”

The TV legend, 51, looked stylish in a striking green cardigan as she wrapped her arms around two friends as she posed in front of the picturesque ocean as the sunset

It comes after 31-year-old Shona McGarty revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after 15 years playing Whitney, having joined in 2008 at the age of 16.

Speak with The sun on Sunday Speaking about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: 'I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I enjoyed my years on the show.”

A source told the publication that it “wasn't an easy decision” but that Shona feels now is the right time to “try something new.”

They added, “She hopes the door remains open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it's all in the hands of the screenwriters.”

As the adopted daughter of the infamous Bianca (played by Patsy), Whitney has been part of several hard-hitting storylines.

In 2008, Whitney was groomed and abused by her mother's on-screen partner and in 2020 she murdered the deranged Leo King to mark the soap's 35th anniversary.

It is thought that Shona will pursue a singing career, something she is not shying away from.

The source said The sun: 'In addition to acting, Shona also loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is a possibility.'

The star narrowly missed out on winning Best Leading Performer at the British Soap Awards last year, but EastEnders took home the big prize: Best British Soap.

It comes after Bianca's adopted daughter Whitney is set to quit the soap when actress Shona McGarty, 31, revealed she would be quitting after joining the soap in 2008 at the age of 16.