EastEnders’ Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) seems to be constantly discovering new family members, and it looks like her family tree is about to grow once more with the return of Vikki Fowler.
In 2021, Sharon found out she had a half-brother, Zack Hudson (James Farrar), while at their father Gavin Sullivan’s (Paul Nicholas) funeral. The pair now share a home in Albert Square.
Long-time viewers will recall when Sharon’s adoptive dad, Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham), made a dramatic return from the grave in September 2003, leading to the arrival of his biological son and her adoptive brother Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman).
That same year, Vicki Fowler, the daughter of Dirty Den and Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), also turned up in Walford, giving Sharon an adoptive younger sister she hadn’t asked for.
She is the result of a scandalous affair between Sharon’s dad and her best friend, and she doesn’t seem to have a close relationship with her sister, reports Plymouth Live.
Vicki was born in 1986 after Michelle and Den shared a one-night stand. Teenage Michelle fell pregnant and decided to keep the baby amidst all the controversy, which certainly raised a few eyebrows.
But her paternity was kept under wraps, with Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt) helping Michelle raise her until the truth eventually came out. Since Vicki’s birth, three actors have taken on the role, with Scarlett Alice Johnson playing the character from 2003 to 2004.
It’s a dramatic homecoming on the EastEnders set as Vicki Fowler makes her much-anticipated return to Albert Square after Martin Fowler’s (played by James Bye) tragic demise in February.
Audiences were first introduced to the character Vicki back in 1995 when young, nine year old Vicki departed Walford for Birmingham, Alabama, with Michelle.
She returned in 2003 having grown into a teenager who could not resist causing a stir, even leading to notable clashes with her grandmother, Pauline Fowler (legendary Wendy Richard).
Scarlett Johnson vividly brought Vicki’s rebellious spirit to life, especially remembered for her explosive confrontation with Pauline, before leaving the show in 2004 and heading stateside, later reappearing down under with Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker).
This time around, actress Alice Haig steps into Vicki Fowler’s shoes, even though original portrayer Scarlett was approached by The Sun to rejoin the soap.
Scarlett’s representative shared: “Scarlett was approached, and was flattered to be asked to return, but the timing wasn’t right for her to step back into the role. She wishes Alice Haig and the show all the very best.”
Having left the EastEnders cast over two decades ago, Scarlett Johnson has drastically transformed from her Albert Square days. From captivating audiences on stage and screen across television and films, the North London star is now 40 and flourishing in her vibrant acting career.
Fans of The Good Karma Hospital, the medical drama set in India, will remember Scarlett as Tommy McConnell from season three, which first aired on ITV in March 2020.
In 2022, she made a return to BBC One, appearing as Tara Rawlin in an episode of Casualty and has had roles in a host of other popular series.
These include playing Olive in Call the Midwife (2018), Millie in Josh (2017), Paula in Loaded (2017), Cooper in Babylon (2014), and Jessie Rayner in Midsomer Murders (2014).
She’s also well-known for her role as Laura Derbyshire in the BBC’s heart-warming comedy Pramface, which ran from 2012 to 2014.