It’s been reported today that the character of Mandy Salter is being written out of EastEnders this summer, prompting speculation that she will ditch Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) at the altar…

As fans will recall, Nicola Stapleton came back to the show last year after an absence of 17 years.

Her romance with Ian began almost as soon as the pair renewed their acquaintance after Ian, in an uncharacteristic display of masculinity, rescued Mandy from a pimp outside the lap dancing club where she worked.

However, their relationship has already been through more rocky patches than the Himalayas, what with Mandy sleeping with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) and ditching Ian on their wedding day.

And of course, the tensions between Mandy and Ian’s daughter Lucy (Hetti Bywater) culminating in Mandy’s evil mum Lorraine (Victoria Alcock) resurfacing to fleece her daughter’s fiancé…

However, the Sun’s TV Biz reports that when the show’s bosses brought Mandy back, they hadn’t initially intended that she would stay this long, but kept her on in the lead up to a “big storyline” for Ian.

Speaking to the paper, Nicola said, “I’ve had a great time at EastEnders, working with friends old and new.

“Who knows whether Mandy will return? Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 17 years!”

And a show source added, “EastEnders bosses kept Nicola on for longer than expected as they are building up to a big storyline for Ian.”

Here’s a reminder of Nicola’s return to Walford…