EastEnders fans have been left furious after Alfie Deegan reprised his role as Liam Butcher, and not the original actor – James Fordes – on Friday’s episode.
Liam returned to help his sister Tiffany, played by Maisie Smith, who was trying to reconcile with her estranged husband Keegan by befriending Dotty who he had a one-night stand with.
While having a drink with her sister Whitney Dean, Tiffany was stunned when Liam turned up to surprise the pair by opening a bottle of bubbly in the bar, and many fans flocked to Twitter to share their confusion over the re-casting of the character.
‘What are the producers thinking?’: EastEnders fans are furious as James Fordes was replaced by Alfie Deegan (pictured) as his character Liam Butcher returned to the soap on Friday
‘I can’t believe they changed Liam,’ one disgruntled fan posted online.
Another penned: ‘Wtf are EastEnders thinking with that Liam recast!?!?!?!?!’
One more wrote: ‘Another re-cast from EastEnders it’s like they have no respect for past characters and actors. I mean they even re-cast Lily with a really bad actress now Liam.’
Confused: Many fans were left perplexed by the re-casting of the character, with one writing on Twitter: ‘I can’t believe they changed Liam’
Another said: ‘NAHHH what’s happened to Liam Butcher. Why is he a full on road man now.’
One more viewer wrote: ‘This new Liam character looks different to the other one, doesn’t he?’
Others however were pleasantly surprised by his return to the soap, with many taking to Twitter to ‘welcome’ him back.
One simply wrote: ‘Welcome home Liam [clapping emojis]’
Happy: Others however were pleasantly surprised by his return to the soap, with many taking to Twitter to ‘welcome’ him back
Another penned: ‘Good to have tiff Liam and Whitney scenes nice to have Liam back for a bit [sic].’
‘I’m lovin Liam’ [sic] another wrote, while one more said: ‘Welcome back Liam in Eastenders.’
Another speculated: ‘EastEnders Liam was a nice surprise… I assume this short return is to lay the groundwork for a longer stint in the future.’
Liam (Alfie Deegan), whose storyline saw him move to Germany back in 2015, looked different from when he last appeared on the show.
Previously Liam was portrayed by James Forde, but Alfie joined EastEnders for the short stint in the role as Tiffany and Whitney’s brother, who has been living in Germany with his dad Ricky.
With furious fans desperate to see James reprise his role as Liam, James, 25, took to Twitter on Friday, urging viewers to not be upset.
‘Appreciate the love people but don’t be upset,’ he posted. ‘I chose myself to be a builder and not an actor and I am genuinely happier than ever right now. Do what works for you and be happy.’
Suspicious: His arrival on the Square on Friday’s episode came seemingly out of the blue as he insisted he’s back to support Tiffany
Shock: While having a drink with sister Whitney Dean, Tiffany was shocked when Liam turned up to surprise the pair by opening a bottle of bubbly in the bar
His arrival on the Square in the episode came seemingly out of the blue but he insisted he’s back to support Tiffany.
He can do no wrong in Tiff’s eyes, but it is clear that Liam isn’t telling them the full story.
With plenty of experience working in cars with his dad, Liam is set to eye up The Arches in next week’s episodes to make some money.
And during Friday’s episode, he left a conversation he was having with his sister to take a suspicious ‘work phone call’ which saw him apologising and insisting he he’d ‘get money soon.’
Surprise: He can do no wrong in Tiff’s eyes, but it is clear that Liam isn’t telling them the full story
Bombshell: With plenty of experience working in cars with his dad, Liam will eye up The Arches in next week’s episodes to make some money
Liam was last seen on screen in 2015 leaving Walford with Cindy Beale as they found themselves at the centre of Lucy’s murder investigation.
Cindy gave the Beale’s an ultimatum when she wanted to put her child, Beth, up for adoption.
Ian, realising they were going to expose the truth about Bobby, tried to get the couple to leave London for good.
After trying and failing to bribe the Beale’s out of £100,000 Liam, Cindy and Beth jetted off to Germany where they’ve built a life together.
Way back when: Liam was last seen on screen in 2015 leaving Walford with Cindy Beale as they found themselves at the centre of Lucy’s murder investigation
Past: Previously Liam was portrayed by James Forde, but Alfie Deegan joined EastEnders for a short stint in the role as Tiffany and Whitney’s brother, who has been living in Germany with his dad Ricky