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Ronnie Mitchell is set to get the shock of her life when her first love, and father of her daughter Danielle, Joel Reynolds strides into Albert Square in ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One's EastEnders.

Stunned at the sight of seeing Joel sat in the Vic after all these years, Ronnie loses her usual cool and drops a bottle of champagne smashing to the floor.

She has never forgotten her old flame, but is he still the Joel Ronnie remembers from her golden teenage years before that fateful summer when her father Archie destroyed her life forever?

Will the two of them pick up where they left off, finally giving Ronnie the happiness she feels evades her? Or is he simply the last tie to Danielle, the daughter she so tragically lost and mourns for?

In the run-up to Joel's arrival, viewers will see Janine scheming with Archie as he tries to manipulate Ronnie back into the family fold.

However, in typical Janine style, she takes things a step too far, and unbeknownst to Archie, she instigates a meeting between Ronnie and Joel – the very last person Archie wants back in his daughter's life.

Joel Reynolds is played by Cavan Clerkin who has appeared in numerous TV, film and stage productions including ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three comedy Pulling. Ronnie Mitchell is played by Samantha Womack.

Diederick Santer, EastEnders Executive Producer, says: "We first heard about Joel – Ronnie's childhood sweetheart and the father of Danielle – nearly two years ago. And finally we get to see him.

"Cavan Clerkin is a delightful and subtle actor with a big funny bone. He's grabbed this enigmatic and rather odd character and made it his own."

Cavan adds: "It's fantastic being on set in Albert Square, it's such an iconic place and I'm really enjoying working with the wonderful cast especially Samantha Womack.

"Joel is a nice guy who fantasises about a future with an amazingly beautiful woman so that's something a lot of men may relate to!"

EastEnders Publicity