EastEnders villain ‘Janine Butcher set to make an explosive RETURN to Albert Square’

Janine pushes husband Barry off a cliff

Murder: Janine’s most iconic storyline happened on New Year’s Day in 2004

Janine’s most iconic storyline happened on New Year’s Day in 2004, when she pushed husband Barry Evans off a cliff, after marrying him for his money.

The villain had accepted Barry’s proposal because she thought he had a life-threatening heart murmur, which then turned out to be a false alarm.

Venting her frustration on a walk, Janine told Barry she never loved him. Barry refused to believe his wife and tried to embrace her. 

Repulsed, Janine pushed him away down a cliff, which caused him to fatally hit his head on a rock. She watched him die as he begged her for help. 

Laura Beale’s death

Laura Beale’s death: Sworn enemy Laura fell down the stairs and died after a fight

Janine continued to cause chaos when she reported her sworn enemy Laura for benefit fraud and announced it in the Queen Vic.

The pair were seen fighting just before Laura died after falling down the stairs.

In the post mortem Laura had been in a fight due to bruising, and Janine’s skin was found underneath her nails.

Although Janine was with Pat when Laura died, Pat sought her revenge on Barry’s death by refusing to give Janine an alibi, and branded her ‘pure evil’.  

Wedding to Jewish businessman David

Villain: Janine tied the knot with Ryan Malloy, whom she also tried to kill

After returning to Albert Square in 2008, Janine went on to marry a rich elderly Jewish businessman called David, who died of a heart attack at the ceremony.

She then tied the knot with Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), whom she also tried to kill. 

Although she was unsuccessful in her murder plot against Ryan, she framed arch-rival Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) for the attempted crime. 

 Archie engagement

Shock: Archie and Janine announce their engagement, before he is murdered

Archie and Janine announced their engagement in 2009.  On Christmas Day, Archie (Larry Lamb), who has realised Janine was intending to con him –  threw her onto the street, leaving her distraught. 

That same day, Archie was murdered by an unknown assailant.

Janine became a suspect for his murder, though she denied it, was cleared and fellow resident Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) was held falsely responsible for the murder. 

 Fourth marriage to Michael Moon and his murder

Wedding: Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon

Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and had daughter Scarlett with him, before she eventually set out to kill him too.

The evil killer was successful in ending Michael’s life, but was found not guilty in court – leading to her being shunned by locals.

Janine then left for Paris to join Scarlett and Diane, and it is hinted that she plans to con a couple who have won the lottery.