Debbie Dingle is set for an "explosive" return to 'Emmerdale' in January.

Charley Webb

Charley Webb

The mechanic - who is played by Charley Webb - hasn't been seen in the village since late 2015, when she fled with her children after learning her boyfriend Ross Barton (Michael Parr) had shot Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), but she'll be back from France in the New Year and in need of help from her parents Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Charity (Emma Atkins).

A show spokesperson teased: "Debbie Dingle will make an explosive return to the village early next year, leaving chaos in her wake.

"Having spent the last year in France, she is now on the run - but who is Debbie running from? And how long will it be before Cain and Charity come to her rescue?"

Charley - who left the show to have her second child Bowie, now 11 months - previously admitted she expects Ross to be involved in her alter ego's return somehow.

She said: "It [my return] won't be too far away and I'm sure that Ross will be involved in her return. There has to be some Ross and Debbie drama in there."

During her maternity leave, Charley enjoyed watching her fiance Matthew Wolfenden - with whom she also has six-year-old son Buston - play out David Metcalfe's cancer battle on 'Emmerdale', and was very proud of him for getting rid of his body hair for the storyline.

She has said: "I'm really proud of him. But I said to him that it's the least he could do for that story. To give that little bit back. So many people are going through it in real life, so it just doesn't enter my head."