EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey has promised Anthony Trueman will be a changed man upon his return to Walford.

It was confirmed last month that the actor would be reprising his role on the BBC soap after 11 years away, with the character set to make his return to East London as part of the storyline involving his father Patrick.

Patrick has been in the centre of the drama in recent weeks, with his attack by Oscar Branning coming in the midst of his preparations for his second wedding to Yolande. These events have facilitated Anthony’s return, and Bailey has teased upcoming events.

“From Anthony’s first episode back there’s lots of drama as he is reunited with Patrick back in Walford – and there’s lots of juicy stuff to come,” said the actor, who first played the character in 2000.

“Anthony has mixed emotions [about returning]. Although he’s spent time with his dad since the last time he was in Walford, he finds the whole make up of the family and its dynamics have changed. He feels isolated and like an outsider so he’s quickly trying to find himself.”

Upon his return to Albert Square, Anthony soon discovers that Patrick was subjected to an attack by Oscar, though the family at that point is unaware of the teenager’s involvement in the incident.

“He’s angry and surprised that nobody has told him about this before,” said Bailey of his character’s reaction. “He’s the sort of person who wants to look out for people, and he’s got a huge amount of guilt that he wasn’t there for Patrick when he was recovering from the stroke.

“He and Patrick have worked some of that out, but Anthony sees this as his opportunity to be the dutiful son, and he feels very protective of Patrick. So, he’s not happy it was concealed from him and that he couldn’t intervene.”

Later in the week, Oscar eventually confesses to his crime and admits that he was the one who attacked Patrick. Given the fact that the troubled teen had been getting close to Patrick in recent weeks, the news comes as a shock to the family.

“It comes out of the blue for Anthony and he doesn’t know what’s happening,” teased Bailey. “They don’t know if Patrick is having another stroke or a heart attack. There’s an immediate panic and then Anthony goes into doctor mode.

“But once it has been established that Patrick is okay, he wants answers from Oscar about what’s caused this. He demands they report Oscar because Anthony believes justice must be done.”

“He can’t understand why other people don’t see this as cut and dry and share his view. That’s when Anthony begins to get suspicious of the people who are standing in the way,” added the actor, who originally departed the series in 2005.

Given this is his first appearance on the soap in over a decade, Bailey was understandably emotional at his return, with the actor paying a heartfelt tribute to co-star Rudolph Walker, who plays his on-screen father.

“I can’t wait to get on set every day!” he remarked. “It’s been such a long time, and I didn’t have any expectation of returning, so it has been a pleasant surprise. With every new script I’m finding out who Anthony is now and the changes in him as a character.

“Rudy is really special to me. I remember his first day on the show like it was yesterday. It was the funeral for Anthony’s mother Audrey, and I remember Rudy stepping out of the taxi for Patrick’s first scene and thinking it was one of the best entrances on the show ever.”

“When I saw him, I just gave him a massive hug, and all the memories flooded back. Rudy is a legend and a pioneer and such a force on set. I really couldn’t wait to work with him again,” he added.