**EastEnders** star Joel Beckett has shed light on Jake’s surprising comeback to Albert Square. In a recent episode, Beckett reprised his role as Jake in a brief yet impactful cameo, marking a significant moment as Jake reunited with Chrissy Watts following her release from prison. This revelation comes after fans had long believed Jake had met a grim fate behind bars nearly two decades ago, a result of a deadly blunder by his former underworld boss, Johnny Allen.

Joel Beckett recounted his experience returning to the iconic set, sharing that his agent reached out with an offer to come back for a single day. Initially, Beckett thought the return might be limited to a scene outside the prison gates rather than in the heart of Albert Square. Nevertheless, he was thrilled to be back on set after such a long hiatus. Beckett described the experience as “lovely,” noting how returning to Albert Square felt surprisingly familiar, even after 20 years. Despite the new set’s upgrades, he remarked that it retained the essence of the old one, with less wobbliness and a slightly different sunset but still reminiscent of the square he remembered.

Beckett expressed his excitement about reintroducing Jake to the storyline, acknowledging the surprise it brought to fans. He described the cameo as a brief but enjoyable experience and was pleased with the positive reaction from viewers. During his time on set, he missed working with Alfie Moon but enjoyed reconnecting with Shane Richie, even though they didn’t film together. Beckett noted how much he enjoyed catching up with his former castmates, including Tracy and Obman.

To keep his return under wraps, Beckett’s cameo was shrouded in secrecy. He arrived in a blacked-out car and made a dramatic entrance by driving a noisy E-Type Jag around the car park, adding an element of surprise to his reveal.

As **EastEnders** approaches its 40th anniversary, Beckett hinted that Jake and Chrissy’s return might not be entirely off the table. He teased that while nothing is confirmed, fans should keep their hopes up, as the door remains open for future appearances. “Never say never,” Beckett said, hinting that the audience’s reaction could influence any potential future storylines involving Jake and Chrissy.