EastEnders fans have praised the return of Kat Slater as the best soap comeback of all time.

The soap favourite arrived back in Albert Square as residents raised money for her funeral after being told she was dead.

Slater emerged from a black taxi as her friends gathered in the Old Vic pub dressed in leopard print in her honour.

Upon learning they all believed she was dead, she said: “What the…?”

One fan wrote on Twitter: “They say a Kat has 9 lives! I’ve actually never been made so excited about a particular moment in a soap; Kat Slater’s entrance back into #Eastenders…..legendary!”

Another wrote: “I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited for a soap return as I am about Kat coming back tonight! Ahhhh.”

One more excited viewer said: “You don’t understand how happy I am at the fact @JessieWallaceUK is back!

“She is literally the whole reason I started watching it back in 2005 and she is the reason I love EastEnders today! Welcome home to a Soap Queen.”

Another added: “Words can’t describe how happy I am to seeing Kat back @JessieWallaceUK thank you @bbceastenders for making this happen I’m truly over the moon right now can’t wait for 9pm.”

Yet another praised the cliffhanger, saying: “What the Duff duff duff!! I can’t believe @JessieWallaceUK is back I’m so happy!!”

The full comeback will be revealed in the second episode of the night on BBC One at 9pm.