EASTENDERS fans have spotted a clue that one tearaway teen who was previusly on Albert Square may be returning.
The character last appeared 25 years ago before she departed the BBC One soap in 2000.
Nicky Di Marco was first seen in 1998 where she was played by actress Carly Hillman.
She was best known for a controversial storyline when the teenager was sexually assaulted by her tutor.
Her mother Rosa (Louise Jameson) arranged home maths lessons with Rod Morris (Forbes Masson) whom she fell in love with.
Although he initially reciprocated her advances, he then took things too far and she later told her family what happened.
In her first years on the square, she was known as the best friend of Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy).
The teen was also involved in relationships with multiple men including Jamie Mitchell, Asif Malik and Martin Fowler.
Fans think they have spotted a clue that she might be returning to EastEnders in one of this week’s episodes.
At the start of Tuesday’s edition, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) was inspecting the memorial for Martin on his stall in the market with her mother Jean (Gillian Wright).
Jean looked at one particular card and she seemed completely surprised by the name
“This one’s from Nicky,” she explained before Stacey then asked in response: “Nicky Di Marco?”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”EastEnders favourite quits Walford just six months after return” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6371302611112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]She added: “I remember him telling me about her.”
After the demise of her old beau Martin (James Bye) in the Vic explosion and the mention of her name, fans took to social media as they speculated that the character might make a comeback.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D112056%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]A first stated: “Hold. Nicky Di Marco name has been mentioned out the blue…… does this mean what I think it means. BRING BACK THE ITALIANS.”
“SHUT UP A NICKY DI MARCO MENTION! That was niche,” wrote a second user.
While a third commented: “TWO mentions of Nicky Di Marco in the last few months. The return looms.”
And a fourth added: “A Nicky di Marco reference in 2025?”
The character was previously mentioned when she was reunited with Sonia on social media.
Her dead partner Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) contacted Nicky to ask for help in September 2024 when Sonia was in hot water.
However she stated that she was unable to help because she had not seen the nurse in over 20 years.
EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.