Cheryl Fergison announces ‘return to the BBC’ after being axed and forced to work in a Chinese restaurant

FORMER EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has announced her ‘return to the BBC’ – over a decade on from being axed.

Cheryl, 60, played Heather Trott for five years, leaving in 2012 when the character was killed off.

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EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison has revealed her ‘return to the BBC’[/caption]

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Cheryl played soap favourite Heather Trott for five years[/caption]

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Cheryl shared her upcoming work in an online update[/caption]

Posting on TikTok, the actress revealed her upcoming projects – including filming for the BBC.

Cheryl shared to her followers: “I’ve been packing, getting ready for London next week. Going to be doing a little secret project.

“Then, I will be filming for the BBC. And then I will be going to The Groove Chorus, working with the beautiful Groove Chorus at The Clapham Ground on the 21st and 22nd.”

It comes as Cheryl flogged tickets to fans to see her perform at a Chinese takeaway’s opening earlier this month.

Posting on social media, the former soap actress said she’d sing for diners at the The Dragon Lounge in Blackpool.

She serenaded customers at the establishment across February 1 and February 2, kicking off at 7pm.

Last year, meanwhile, Cheryl opened up about her money struggles.

Revealing she had been conned out of a “humongous” amount of money, the actress told how she was forced to claim benefits and turn to a food bank for help.

She said on ITV’s This Morning: “There is a circumstance that started this, which I can’t talk about at this moment in time, but it started to spiral.

“The only way I can say it is I was conned out of a humongous amount of money.

“That led to the cancer thing and everything spiralled. I was robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“I ended up having to sell my house. Now I am living up north and renting.”

Cheryl made her first appearance as Heather Trott, sidekick to Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) in June 2007, initially as a guest character.

Owing to her popularity, Heather later became a full-time part of the BBC soap.

However, her time in Walford ended in tragedy after she was bludgeoned by Ben Mitchell (then Joshua Pascoe) in early 2012.

After Cheryl posted a cryptic message on Instagram last year, fans hoped it meant a return for Heather – despite the character’s death.

At the top of a snap, the star wrote the telling line: “Are you still watching this space?”

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

In her image caption she added: “Soon all will be revealed,” followed by a red Emoji love heart.

One fan wrote: “Come on Heather dig your way out of that grave.”

Another added: “So hoping you are coming back to EE with Shirley.”

EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Cheryl has previously opened up about her money struggles[/caption]