An iconic BBC EastEnders character is set to return to the soap despite being killed off. 

It comes as Rita Simons who played Roxy Mitchell will once again appear in the soap. 

Roxy died on EastEnders alongside her sister Ronnie in 2017 but will now feature as “a figment of her daughter Amy Mitchell’s imagination” in the BBC show this week.

Simon's character was known for being the feisty member of the Mitchell family earned her a most popular newcomer gong at the National Television Awards in 2008.

Roxy Mitchell to return to EastEnders

In the last few weeks, EastEnders has seen the breakdown of Amy’s father Jack Branning’s marriage to Denise Fox, who is played by Diane Parish, has been causing confrontation in the family.

This hits a boiling point in Thursday’s episode as Amy’s mental health struggles have been increasing.

The family then attend a group therapy session where the teenager is encouraged to open up about her emotions surrounding the loss of her mother.

Amy, played by Ellie Dadd, will then be seen zoning out before Roxy appears in what the BBC has described as “a figment of her imagination”.

Speaking of Roxy's return, Chris Clenshaw, executive producer at EastEnders, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome the fabulous Rita back to the iconic role of Roxy Mitchell for these special scenes.

“Although the character was last seen on-screen in January 2017, Roxy still remains a fan favourite. We know our audiences will be thrilled at her short return as Amy seeks some all-important answers from her mum at this point in the storyline.”

Since leaving the soap, Simons has taken part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Celebrity Supermarket Sweep, Celebrity MasterChef and Pilgrimage.

She's also made regular appearances on the stage and has been cast in Legally Blonde: The Musical as Paulette Bonafonte, as Miss Hedge in the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and in Hairspray as Velma von Tussle.