Jim Branning back for Christmas
Thursday, 13th November 2008
EastEnders favourite John Bardon is to make another one-off return to the BBC One soap next month.
The actor, who plays Dot Cotton's loveable husband Jim Branning, will return to Albert Square on Christmas Day.
The 69 year-old suffered a stroke in June 2007 which forced him to leave the show indefinitely.
But he has been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme, which paid dividends for John in the summer as he made a return to Walford for an episode in which Jim celebrated his birthday.
That episode was seen by over 8.5m people in August.
But 'Enders fans will be delighted to see Jim celebrating once again with his family - this time on Christmas Day on the Square.
Dot Cotton
June Brown (Dot Cotton) told Scotland's Lanarkshire FM: "He came back not long ago and he's done two episodes so far.
"His birthday episode which has come out [already] and then he's done another one which is Christmas day.
"I don't know if I should say that but it's not really that secret, is it?
"And we've tried to make it more jolly, not so bloomin' dreary.
"We have a bit of a laugh and I think it'll be nice."
Photo: Bruno Vincent/Getty images
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