Jill GascoineEastEnders' festive period is ramping up to be one of its most shocking yet.

We've just got wind that Archie's estranged wife is set to make an explosive debut on the square.

Jill Gascoine, who had a starring role as Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes in 1980s TV show C.A.T.S. Eyes, has been cast as Ronnie and Roxie Mitchell's long-lost mother Glenda.

The sisters have never forgiven Glenda after she walked out on them when they were teenagers and while she's never appeared on screen, she's been described by Archie as his "beautiful, quiet and dutiful first wife".

However, it looks like the woman returning from Australia is by no means the same weak-willed subservient housewife she was before and she'll shock her family as much with her new personality as her return. This time around Glenda's been transformed into a "polished, dynamic and assured woman".

Whether Archie will still be around though is another matter, after we revealed he's set to be bumped off by a mysterious, shocking murderer on Christmas Day.

We don't know about you, but the general sleuthing consensus here at TV Towers is that the timing of Glenda's return seems eerily coincidental with Archie's demise. Then again, Peggy's sure to be a contender after he evicts her from the Vic. Although there's always Janine. Or Roxie, or...

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