Nicholas Bailey, who has reprised his role as Doctor Anthony Trueman, was last seen on the programme all the way back in 2014.
Originally, he was on the show from 2000 to 2003, before making occasional returns over the years.
During this time, his character developed with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).
EastEnders legend Nicholas Bailey returns to BBC show after 11 years
He left the show after making a brief return to our screens when his father, Patrick (played by Rudolph Walker), had a stroke.
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, said: “It’s great to welcome Nicholas back to the EastEnders family to reunite Patrick with his son.
“But Anthony’s plan for a brief return to surprise his father ends up with him staying longer than he expected when he uncovers what has been going on in the Trueman household.”
Nicholas Bailey added: “It is an unexpected treat to return to EastEnders and I’m full of gratitude to get the opportunity to revisit the character of Anthony.
“It’s wonderful to work with Rudolph Walker again – he’s such a big part of my journey as an actor, and I loved filming my first scenes with him after so long.
“I’m excited to see what the passage of time has done to Anthony and explore his relationship with Patrick at this stage in their lives.”
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In 2018, the EastEnders star expressed an interest in returning to the BBC show, according to The Sun.
He said: “I would go back to EastEnders.
“The character is there, and I never say never to anything.
“If they had a storyline and they had something for me to do, then you never say never.
“The character has been good to me. I’d never say no. I would never say I’d never come back.
“It’s a character that I love to play. They know where the phone is.”
