It's always a sad day when your favourite character leaves the soap world, but unless they've gone out in a box (and even then it's not set in stone), there is always a chance that they could return. And some do. More than once.
Maybe work has dried up elsewhere, or maybe they are just dying to step back into their alter-ego's shoes, but there are some stars who just keep coming back for more...and more. Here are 10 of the biggest soap boomerangs...
1. Letitia Dean, EastEnders (Sharon Mitchell, 1985-95, 2001-06, 2012-)
Whether she likes it or not, Letitia Dean's character Sharon Mitchell (nee Watts, later Rcikman) has become part of the Walford furniture. Sharon has been a Walford stalwart since the show started, but she has caught so many black cabs out of the place in that time that she must have them on speed dial.
After bowing out of the soap for pastures new back in 1995, Sharon made quite the comeback in 2001 when she took over The Vic from Peggy. She then left again in 2004, but returned a few months later in 2005 arm in arm with on-off partner/brother Dennis Rickman. Sadly, we got over-excited for nothing as Sharon was soon departing once again six months later following Dennis's tragic death. Keeping up? Us neither. But what is Albert Square without a bit of Shazza drama?
2. Beverley Callard, Coronation Street (Liz McDonald, 1989-98, 2000-01, 2003-11, 2013-)
There must be something in the water for soap landladies, as Liz McDonald has been in and out of Weatherfield even more times than Sharon has with Walford. After an intermittent 21 years on screen, Beverley Callard took a break from the role in 2011, but we all cheered when Liz returned in 2013 as feisty as ever. Coronation Street without Liz is like Tracy Barlow without a scheme, and it's been great to have Callard back where she belongs.
3. Samantha Giles, Emmerdale (Bernice Blackstock, 1998-2002, 2004, 2012-)
Although it is hard to envisage a time where long-standing character Bernice wasn't a Dales resident, this is actually her third stint on the show. And Emmerdale isn't the only soap she has ducked in and out of either. During her time away from the ITV show, Giles landed a part in Hollyoaks, taking over the role of Valerie Holden. She eventually had to be written out for maternity leave, but returned in 2010 to tie up the role before leaving for good a month later. Crikey! It almost makes Bernice's life seem quiet.
4. Stephanie Waring, Hollyoaks (Cindy Cunningham, 1996-2001, 2002, 2004, 2008-2010, 2011-)
She might be causing chaos on a regular basis these days, but Cindy has actually been in and out of the show more than she's got married. Waring took over the role from actress Laura Crossley in 1996 but we thought we had seen the last of Cindy when she called it a day in 2001 - little did we know! Waring had returned to the show for a couple of guest stints before she was asked to reprise her part for the exit of her on-screen brother Max Cunningham on an initial six-month contract. Eight years later and Cindy's still going strong in the village. Bigamy aside.
5. Natalie Cassidy, EastEnders (Sonia Fowler, 1993-2007, 2010-11, 2014-)
Try as she might, Natalie Cassidy just can't seem to shake off the character that she has played since she was a child. In fact, Sonia has popped back to the Square so frequently that she must have a season ticket back to the area...or a very good deal on a return one.
Cassidy departed screens seemingly for good in 2007 and subsequently appeared in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother, as well as pursuing several other projects. However, after making several brief stints on EastEnders in that time, it appears she couldn't resist returning to her Walford roots and she has been a regular on the show since 2014.
6. Bruno Langley, Coronation Street (Todd Grimshaw, 2001-04, 2007, 2011, 2013-)
Bruno Langley is another one who can't seem to escape from his teenage roots. Love triangles, sexuality struggles and even a tragic baby plot - Todd had such an action-packed three years during his first stint that it was hard to imagine the show could give him any more to do. But there was more. Much more. Following another stint in 2007, Langley reprised the role permanently in 2013 as Todd marched back into Weatherfield to spread more love and joy. Er, well... not exactly.
7. Cornelia Frances, Home and Away (Morag Bellingham, 1988-89, 1993, 2001-09, 2011-13, 2016)
Morag is a force to be reckoned with, but it appears that force follows in real life too because she just keeps springing back to the show. And it's always with a bang. Morag will be appearing on UK screens once again this year when she is brought back to the Bay as part of a huge murder storyline. It might be her sixth stint, but sadly it is merely a guest one again. Still, we very much doubt this is the last we will see of Alf's sister and we aren't the only ones hoping for another comeback...
8. Melissa Bell, Neighbours (Lucy Robinson, 1991-93, 1995, 2005, 2013-15)
If Neighbours fans are ever worried that we have seen the last of Lucy Robinson, then fear not - we haven't. Melissa Bell was the third actress to take the role but it seems that a return for Lucy is becoming almost a yearly occurrence these days. In fact, Paul's younger sister has popped in and out of the show so many times since 2013 that we've actually lost count. Oh and she makes cameo appearances via Skype too.
9. Emily Symons, Home and Away (Marilyn Chambers, 1989-92, 1995-99, 2001, 2010-)
As much as we love Marilyn, we do wish she could make her mind up. Summer Bay might be famous for its sun, sea and surfing, but she really does use the place like a holiday resort. Having upped and left a whopping three times already (confusing us even more when she rocked up in Emmerdale), Marilyn bowed out of the Bay again recently. To be fair, she did have a pretty good excuse this time, and she is coming back too. So maybe we will let her off for now...
10. WE HAVE A WINNER! John Altman, EastEnders (Nick Cotton, 1985-91, 1993, 1998, 2000-01, 2008-09, 2014-15)
Having played one of EastEnders' most iconic villains of all time, John Altman can be forgiven for being a rather epic soap boomerang. Nasty Nick frequently came and went over the years, so it was hard to know whether each stint was truly going to be his last. He also made quite the habit of reappearing when his long-suffering 'ma' Dot least expected it. However, after watching him die during the show's anniversary episodes last year, we can rest assured that we really have seen the last of the last of him this time. Although, then again, stranger things have happened...
