Natalie Cassidy, who played Sonia Fowler for 14 years, is set to make a return to Eastenders in the New Year.
The 30-year old actress was asked to come back by new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, as part of a make-over.
Viewing figures have dropped below six million and the producer is determined to revamp the show.
Actor Danny Dyer will also join the soap to take over the Queen Vic.
A source told the Sunday People: “Natalie has been one of the programme’s best-loved characters.
“Dominic was determined to get her back. They are finalising deals and she should be back in a couple of months.”
Natalie played Sonya Fowler in Eastenders
Cassidy joined Eastenders as a child actress in 1993 and left in 2007.
Scriptwriters sent Sonia to Manchester with her husband Martin. She returned in 2010 to tell mum Carol her marriage was on the rocks.
Then in 2011 she briefly came back again to reveal she had split from Martin and was living in Essex.
