EastEnders fans all have the same complaint about Ryan’s return to soap after seven years

EASTENDERS fans have all been left saying the same thing ahead of Ryan Malloy's shock return to the soap.

The former Albert Square resident, played by Neil McDermott, is heading back to Walford after the discovery that his 12-year-old daughter Lily Slater has fallen pregnant.

Whilst excitement surrounding Ryan's return was initially high, viewers were later left disappointed following the announcement he would simply be back for a guest stint.

It has followed a tradition in recent times of the BBC soap bringing ex-stars back for just a handful of episodes as and when the story requires it such as Ricky and Lauren's recent comebacks surrounding Dot's funeral.

Unhappy at the news, fans on reddit were quick to air their frustrations.

One wrote:  "I'm getting tired of these actors using EastEnders as a halfway home."

They blasted the show's producer, as they fumed: "Not a fan of short stints either. I honestly don't know why Clenshaw keeps doing them. The show in my opinion desperately needs a new family but all we're getting are these short-stint characters."

Another pleaded: "I'm glad Ryan is returning to EastEnders. However I wish it was a permanent return rather than a short stint."

As a third said: "OMG!! A few weeks ago I was watching the episode when Ryan found out he was Lily's dad, and thought it would be nice to see him back on the square....and now HE IS!! Only a short stint unfortunately."

Ryan first appeared on the show in 2009 as the half brother of established character Whitney Dean.

Speaking of his character's return, Neil said: "He’s of course not been around for a while, so whatever he thinks should be the right thing, isn’t going to be taken too well by Stacey and other members of the Square.

"We learn that he’s doing alright for himself and has money that could help the situation.

"He’s carefully trying to tread his way through to become a bigger part of Lily’s life, but it's whether or not Stacey, Lily and the family want him around."

EastEnders airs Monday-Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.