EastEnders icon returns as another character bows out - but fans have same question

EastEnders viewers were left questioning one long-term character's exit from the BBC soap on Thursday, which resulted in a legend returning to the show briefly

EastEnders aired an emotional exit on Thursday night, with a soap legend making a comeback for the big scenes.

But some fans were left questioning the departure, after noticing something was missing. Bobby Beale left Walford for good five years after his return to the show.

He was left heartbroken this week when his girlfriend Anna Knight kissed his pal Freddie Slater. He also found out Anna was pregnant but had terminated the pregnancy without telling him.

Bobby decided that it was time for a fresh start, wanting to move away to live with his stepmother Jane Beale. The pair had only recently reconciled, years on from Jane covering up Bobby's crime.

Bobby had accidentally killed his sister Lucy Beale in 2014 when he was a child, and he didn't even realise until later on. But with them now on good terms he decided to leave Walford and live with Jane.

The decision was approved by Lucy's mother Cindy who confessed she could not forgive his crime, leading to Bobby putting her in her place about her own past. As Bobby said a tearful goodbye to his tragic sister Lucy at her grave, he announced to his family it was time to move on.

Jane soon arrived in Walford, the first time since her exit back in 2017. Jane appeared earlier this year but did not go to Albert Square until now.

She then promised Ian Beale she'd look after their son, before exchanging a hilarious catty comment with Cindy. Bobby hugged it out with Ian, brother Peter and his grandmother Kathy Beale with everyone in tears.

He and Jane then set off together, but fans couldn't help notice Julia's Theme wasn't played. The special version of the theme song normally plays when a major character leaves the show, so fans couldn't understand why Bobby didn't get this same treatment.

One fan posted: "No Julia’s theme for Bobby but a Julia’s theme for Karen and then her returning in the blink of an eye? What’s going on?" Another said: "Thought we'd get Julia's theme at the end though."

The episodes marked actor Clay Milner Russell's final scenes with the soap after it was revealed earlier this year he had quit the role. Clay took on the character five years ago in 2019 when Bobby returned to the show, having been released after serving three years for Lucy's death.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .