Silent Witness viewers all say the same thing as Amanda Burton returns to the BBC drama after staggering 18 years

AMANDA Burton made a triumphant return to Silent Witness tonight - 18 years after quitting the show.

The actress, 64, has reprised her role of Sam Ryan for the 25th anniversary series in a special six part story that kicked off this evening.

Amanda first appeared in Silent Witness as the lead role of pathologist Sam Ryan in 1996.

She starred in 54 episodes before leaving in 2004, when her character returned home to Northern Ireland to be with her family.

But tonight Sam was back in the lab after her husband was shot by a sniper.

Fans of the show couldn't believe Amanda's character was back on the show and immediately took to Twitter to share their joy.

One viewer tweeted: "I can not explain how excited I am for this episode of #SilentWitness !!! Waited so long, welcome back Sam Ryan."

While this one said: "Yay!!! #SilentWitness is back as is Amanda Burton as Sam!"

Another commented: "Sam and Nikki are bound to clash! What a way to start this 25th anniversary year. Welcome back! #SilentWitness."

This fan was thrilled: "Oh yes. Sam Ryan is back to save #SilentWitness."

The good news is Sam will be in all six episodes of the new series.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun last year, Amanda told us: “I am so excited to be returning to Silent Witness and stepping back into Sam Ryan’s shoes – with a difference! 

“Audiences can look forward to plenty of twists and turns as they discover what Sam’s been doing since leaving the Lyell.”

Tonight Amanda joined fellow cast members Emilia Fox (Nikki Alexander), David Caves (Jack Hodgson) and Genesis Lynea (Simone Tyler) for six brand new episodes which will mark the 25th Anniversary of Silent Witness.

Emilia Fox told us last year: “It is such a delight and thrill to be working with Amanda. 

“To have Sam Ryan back again at the heart of the show is the greatest way of all to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Silent Witness.” 

Lawrence Till, Executive Producer, BBC Studios Production, said: “I am delighted that Amanda agreed to return to Silent Witness for its Silver Anniversary. 

“Silent Witness has a large and loyal audience and remains as popular as it has ever been with audiences regularly consolidating at over 6 million viewers. 

“It is fantastic to have Sam Ryan at the centre of the series again alongside our other Lyell characters for a monumental story told in six parts.”