EastEnders' Ian Beale is in for the shock of his life when ex-wife Cindy Beale's youngest daughter turns up in Walford unannounced.

Speaking to ITV'sLoose Women today, the actress hinted that the daughter – which her East-End character died while giving birth to – may just make an appearance on the Square.

When asked about recent news reports surrounding her character's return from the dead, she said: "What's really strange is that one of the girls in my daughter's class was up for the part of my daughter in EastEnders and I was like 'well I haven't got a daughter'...I didn't even remember I had a daughter.

"Then I suddenly remembered that I died in child birth and my daughter survived, so that obviously is the daughter. So I don't know if that's part of the story but no-one's asked me. Perhaps they should ask me first?"

Until now, it has been unclear as to whether the 44-year-old actress would be reprising her role. Speaking of a possible return, she continued: "These stories come up every so often. There was one about me being under witness protection and that I was alive and that I was coming back. Never say never. But at the moment, I have no plans to go back, no. I did die, but you know…"

A show insider toldDigital Spy: "Cindy died in prison during child birth but everybody's forgotten about her daughter. She's been living relatives since, so it'll be interesting to see how Ian, Jane and the kids cope with the revelation. "

AnEastEnders spokeswoman, however, commented: "We never comment on future storylines."

At the weekend, it wasreported that Cindy would be making her presence felt in Walford from beyond the grave in the form of text messages and e-mails to her ex-husband, Ian (Adam Woodyatt), and eldest daughter, Lucy (Melissa Suffield).

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