Superbitch: Maneater Cindy BealeEastEnders' Cindy BealeGrant, Phil and Peggy Mitchell are all returning, Kathy Beale is reportedly being considered, as is loveable rogue Frank Butcher.

But the latest reported idea from EastEnders chiefs is to bring back superbitch Cindy Beale. Yes, the one who is DEAD!

In true Dallas-style the ailing soap is planning a sensational storyline in which Cindy comes back from the grave, The Sun claims.

Actress Michelle Collins has been given a script which explains away Cindy's death as a hoax, according to the paper.

It says the story will be that police faked her death before putting her in a witness protection scheme after she grassed on a mobster.

The paper quotes "a source close to Michelle" as saying: "Yes, it's true that a plot line has been written and she has read it.

"Michelle is intrigued by the whole idea but has not committed one way or the other."

Cindy was written out in 1998, dying while giving birth in prison - she had been jailed for the attempted murder of husband Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt.

The paper says the BBC is "desperate" for a rating's boost for the flagging soap, which has seen viewing figures dip below 7m.

In the 80s, US soap Dallas famously brought back popular character Bobby Ewing, actor Patrick Duffy, after he had 'died'.

Show execs explained away an entire series as a dream by his wife Pammy (Victoria Principal).

EastEnders looks as if it may be planning its own bad nightmare...