EastEnders has been rocked by the shock return of one of the soap's "most despised men", James Willmott-Brown.
Friday night's episode saw Max Branning (Jake Wood) collect his old cellmate, Luke (Adam Astill), from prison to take him home.
Waiting at the house was Luke's father - and Max's secret boss - rapist Willmott-Brown (played by actor William Boyde).
James Willmott Brown!!😱
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) September 22, 2017
An unwelcome blast from the past. Why is he back, after all these years?🤔
☞Find out on Monday at 8.00PM on @BBCOne.☜ pic.twitter.com/giWpqe0AWt
In one of the soap's most controversial plots in the late 1980s, Willmott-Brown raped Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Max is unaware of Willmott-Brown's past and his connections to Walford.
The new storyline, which EastEnders writers have been building since Max's return to E20, will see Willmott-Brown and his family trying to take over Albert Square.
Speaking about his EastEnders comeback, actor Boyde said he was "delighted to immerse myself once more in the fascinating world of soap land".
EastEnders airs on BBC One and RTÉ One on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
If you have been affected by this storyline, please contact The Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 778 888.
Here are some of the viewers' reactions:
Wilmot Brown ? You've taken that too far #eastenders
— Marian M (@munkyfaz) September 22, 2017
OMG!!!! #Eastenders!!! #willmott-brown!!! #Dagmar
— Teena Tailor (@TeenaT75) September 22, 2017
Now that was one hell of a twist!!! Can’t wait to see how this pans out!! Eek! 🙈😱
I'm getting excited about #EastEnders again now. What a twist! #WillmottBrown
— katy brent 🐭🐋 (@Littlemisskatyb) September 22, 2017
This is almost as stupid as the Dirty Den back from the dead storyline #eastenders 🙄🤦🏼♀️
— Sam Martin 💕 (@Socially_Sam) September 22, 2017
I said from Day One this was Wilmott-Brown, such a good storyline! #EastEnders @bbceastenders
— Dan loves Ari (@ArianaxxLand) September 22, 2017
The big reveal at the end of tonight's #eastenders was like it was ripped straight of some tacky American drama
— Daz (@MetalDaz77) September 22, 2017
#EastEnders watched for years and even used to watch old eps on gold but of all characters to bring back they bring back a rapist 👎 #notcool
— michael boniface (@michaelbonifac) September 22, 2017
@bbceastenders what a fantastic storyline! James Wilmott brown! Blast from the past! Perfect enemy! All makes sense now! #eastenders
— Christine (@christinevm87) September 22, 2017
#Eastenders *jaw hits floor*
— Crafty Moo 🐮 (@acraftycow) September 22, 2017
Good God #Wilmotbrown is back #eastenders... What better way to go forward than go back to the beginning. Crap
— June edwards (@june1968_) September 22, 2017
