Ian Beale's psychopath adopted son Steven is set to make an explosive return to 'EastEnders' later this year.

Aaron Sidwell

Aaron Sidwell

The unhinged troublemaker - played by Aaron Sidwell - will make a shocking comeback to Albert Square in the summer after he fled Walford eight years ago for sunny New Zealand.

Bosses are remaining tight-lipped on Steven's return but his arrival will no doubt bring trouble to the door of the Beale's as he was last seen trying to suffocate the late Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement), kidnapping his adopted dad (Adam Woodyatt) and cruelly shooting his step-mother Jane (Laurie Brett).

After a series of attempted murders, Steven then tried to take his own life while struggling with mental health issues.

It's believed Steven's grand return could be connected to Lauren Branning's (Jacqueline Jossa) arrival after she and her boyfriend Peter Beale (Ben Hardy) - the half-brother of the frightening psycho - joined him in New Zealand last year.

Jacqueline - who has played Lauren since 2010 - teased her return to the soap will certainly "shock people" after she took last year out to have her baby Ella, now 14 months.

She said recently of her comeback: "It is a dramatic return. It's not your average 'EastEnders' thing where people are screaming and shouting but it will shock people."