EastEnders fans were open-mouthed after two Walford legends returned to the Queen Vic for Billy Mitchell’s stag do on Thursday evening. 

Soap legends Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) and Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi) appeared on our screens for the first time in years to celebrate their pal getting married to Honey (Emma Bunton). 

The fan favourites surprised the pair in the pub and were welcomed with plenty of cheers. 

Garry shouted: ‘Call this a stag do?!’ and Minty added: ‘Call yourself a Mitchell?’

Billy was over the moon to see his two pals back on the Square. 

Minty said: ‘We thought we’d pop in and offer our commiserations congratulations!’ 

EastEnders fans open-mouthed as two Walford legends return to the Queen Vic for Billy Mitchell’s stag do – sending shockwaves through the pub

Minty and Garry were fan favourites in the early 2000s of the BBC soap 

Their arrival shocked Stacey Slater and Kathy Beale while they were celebrating their pal’s wedding 

Their return was a complete surprise as part of the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations. 

Viewers were thrilled to see the iconic characters back on their screens and rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their excitement.

One wrote: ‘Garry and minty return was surprising and amazing #EastEnders.’ 

Another added: ‘Wow why couldn’t Minty & Garry stay longer.’

A third chimed in: ‘The scream I let out when seeing Minty and Garry omg!!!!!!!’

‘I’m so glad they didn’t announce ,Garry and Minty’s return beforehand. What a great surprise,’ a fourth wrote.  

A fifth said: ‘I can’t get enough of@bbceastenders this week Garry and Minty was a nice surprise we need more appearances or get them back #EastEnders #Eastenders40.’

A sixth tweeted: ‘I can’t believe I’m seeing Garry and Minty on Eastenders in 2025 #EastEnders.’

Viewers were happy to see the iconic characters back on their screens and rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their excitement 

Read More EastEnders announces major schedule shake-up for live episode and 40th anniversary

A seventh said: ‘OMG Minty and Garry!’

Minty and Garry were huge fan favourites on the show in the early 2000s.

Mechanic Minty first appeared on EastEnders in 2002. 

Cliff played his alter-ego until 2010.

During his time on the show he was involved in a number of well-known storylines, including his relationship with Garry’s mum Hazel and Heather’s death. 

Since leaving EastEnders, Cliff has appeared in various TV shows including Call the Midwife, I’m A Celebrity, Plebs and All Those Small Things.

Meanwhile Garry first appeared on EastEnders in 2000.

The mechanic left the Square in 2009 when he decided to move on from Walford with Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon). 

Earlier this week EastEnders announced a major schedule shake-up for the live episode and 40th anniversary.

Next week every episode of the iconic soap opera will not air on iPlayer before they live on TV. 

On Wednesday 20 February fans will be treated to an hour-long episode, followed by a live instalment the following day. 

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.