Lucy Benjamin has admitted she was axed from the soap

Lisa was last seen in a one-off special which was thought to have wrapped up the complex storyline between the brow-beaten mother and the father of her child, Phil Mitchell.

But EastEnders bosses have confirmed Benjamin's character will be back in Albert Square later in the year, although it is not known how long she will remain in the soap.

Lisa was last seen in Portugal where she had fled from Phil, played by Steve McFadden.

But he turned up to snatch baby Louise and threatened that if she returned to England he would tell the police that she had once shot him.

It was initially announced that Benjamin had wanted to leave the show to pursue other projects but she later admitted she had been axed.

Lucy Benjamin and Steve McFadden are thought to be a couple again

Benjamin said: "I couldn't believe it when I got the call a few months ago to ask if I would return to Walford.

"I didn't think Lisa would give up baby Lou without one last fight."

The "who shot Phil Mitchell?" storyline in 2001 was one of the most explosive in the history of EastEnders, as 20 million viewers tuned in to see Lisa unveiled as the would-be assassin.

In a case of life-imitating-art, Benjamin and McFadden became a couple.