Keanu (played by Danny Walters) departed from EastEnders following Sharon Mitchell’s (Letitia Dean) return to the Square, with the blonde ensuring husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) sent the young mechanic to Spain so the bad boy of Walford could focus on their marriage.
However, it soon became clear Keanu was being put in mortal danger as he suggested to his lover Sharon he may return to Walford in a box, as it was Phil’s dodgy deeds he was getting mixed up with, not just a simple jolly abroad.
Sharon and Keanu’s mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) have been fraught with worry over the teenager’s wellbeing abroad, with the mother-of-six threatening to expose the blonde’s affair to Phil if she didn’t find out more about her son’s whereabouts.
Following an image of an injured Keanu being sent to Phil, the garage owner went out to Spain to help the mechanic and on his return last week, he told wife Sharon her young lover may be staying out there, with the theory being debunked following the release of spoiler pictures from the BBC soap.
Keanu will return to open arms from mother Karen and his reappearance on the Square is sure to set the cat among the pigeons in his twisted affair plot with Sharon, though, it seems the mechanic should be more worried about a new arrival in Walford.
It was announced earlier this month Phil would face a new nemesis in bad boy Danny Hardcastle (Paul Usher), who will be joining the soap for only a few episodes, though his appearance could have a lasting impact on some of the residents of Walford.
Making his way to the Square, Danny will come face-to-face with Phil and his employee Keanu as he searches for something important, with the dastardly character seen shaking Keanu’s hand in the new pictures, as well as kissing him on the forehead.
Although it seems the villain has a set task in hand, his interaction with Keanu could lead him to stumble upon the young mechanic’s affair with his nemesis’ wife, meaning Danny could use the teenager to get the upper hand on Phil.
Knowing the repercussions Keanu could face if the truth were to be ousted, Danny could threaten to expose the affair if the mechanic doesn’t deceive his boss and works him instead to get his hands on the wanted treasure.
With his time on the Square limited, will it be a race against the clock for Keanu as he desperately tries to get his hands on the goods, or will Phil finally discover the truth about his wife’s illicit affair with the mechanic?
Speaking of actor and Brookside legend Paul Usher’s arrival on the Square, a source for the soap told the Daily Star: “Producers were keen to get Paul on board.
“It is only a for a short stint but they wanted to make sure they cast the right actor and they thought he was perfect for the role.”
Keanu’s return will also coincide with the comeback of Phil’s son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) having spent the past 18 months away from the Square.
However, he will have a brand new look as actor Max Bowden has been cast in the role of the returnee, who was last seen fleeing Walford after seemingly fleecing Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) out of the money she acquired during last year’s heist.
Speaking on joining the soap, actor Max Bowden said: “I’m so excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders and taking on the role of Ben Mitchell.”
Max continued: “I’ve always been a fan of the show so to be joining one of the most iconic families in soap is beyond exciting.
“I can’t wait to get started and see what’s in store for Ben,” the actor concluded, but will Ben’s return also put Keanu’s affair secret in jeopardy if new villain Danny doesn’t uncover the sordid relationship?
Elsewhere in the Square, another Walford resident will be returning to the fold in the coming weeks as Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith) calls on Keanu’s sister Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) to help her out of her latest rut as her plot with drugs continues.
However, will Tiffany be left heartbroken as gang leader Evie Steele (Sophia Capasso) comes under attack from her abusive boyfriend, leading to her untimely death?
Or will Tiffany get Bernadette involved in a more sinister plot to push drugs onto the Square once more as she continues to pine after Evie?
EastEnders continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One.