AN EASTENDERS icon returned to the soap today for a shock Mother’s Day appearance.

The legendary character hasn’t been seen in Walford since 2018 when she was discovered to be homeless and struggling.

At the time she was relying on food banks but found herself back on her feet to fight for custody of baby Abi from daughter Rainie and husband Stuart.

But now Cora Cross is back to her best and has returned for a special appearance with actress Ann Mitchell reprising her role.

In the episode Peter was planning a surprise for Lauren after her trauma with the carjacking last week.

And when the door went, he excitedly told her that the surprise had arrived, but even he looked stunned when Cora Cross arrived.

Walking in past a stunned Lauren, Cora told Peter: “Oh Peter. Tanya said thanks for the invite but she couldn’t make it so I’m here instead.”

Cora then nipped upstairs to use the facilities as Max tried to make it all about him, kicking off at the audacity of Lauren’s mother and grandmother being invited for Mother’s Day.

It didn’t take long for Cora to take Max on over the lunch, calling him a “walking groin”.

Cindy didn’t escape Cora’s venom either when she said she wanted to meet her granddaughter AJ – under the care of Tanya – with Cora laughing at her being dead.

And then Ian was reminded of when he used to pay Cora’s daughter Rainie for sex when she was in the middle of her drug addiction battle.

Max finally left with everyone congratulating Cora on driving him away.

But Cora didn’t just return to cause chaos, as she soon cornered Lauren for an emotional pep talk.

She told her that she had to stop being scared, telling her: “The strength you’ve got inside is unbeatable.

“You’re strong Lauren, stronger than most, never forget that.”

She said a goodbye to Lauren and just ran into Oscar returning home from his latest one night stand to give him some advice too.

Cora told him: “You need to find someone nice and settle down for a bit.”

She then left Walford but with a hint she could return to move into Lauren and Peter’s spare room to help look after the baby while they were at work.

But will she be back for a longer stint?