The soap favourite, 41, who played Zoe Slater in the BBC show, remembered the beloved actor, who starred as doting father and taxi driver Charlie Slater.
For some it's the proverbial golden ticket, a pathway to fame, fortune and fantastic opportunity, but history is always there to remind us that a starring role in a soap opera is as good as it 's goi…
It was a comeback no one could've predicted - perhaps even more unexpected than the iconic 'You ain't my mother' storyline she was an integral part of.
During her time on the show, Michelle, now 41, was involved in one of the soap's biggest storylines when it was revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister.
20 years after her exit from Albert Square, Michelle has now made a shock return as Zoe Slater , with the actress hinting her character is 'a mess' as she reunites with her estranged mother Kat.
The actress, best known for her iconic 'You ain't my muvva!' moment, made her first appearance in Monday's episode, after her return was kept under wraps.
MailOnline can reveal that, despite multiple attempts from bosses to bring her back to Eastenders over the years, Michelle Ryan, 40, has refused - turning them down every time they've asked.