EASTENDERS baddie Nick Cotton finally gives his mum a real present when he
returns on Christmas Day - a granddaughter.

Seven-year-old Dotty is named after Dot and her first words to her are:
"Ello Grandma."

Nasty Nick, famous for catchphrase "Alright Ma", shows up after leaving the
soap in 2001.

At first Dot, played by June Brown, 81, is wary of letting him in. And when
she hears chatter upstairs and assumes he brought in a girlfriend, she is
furious.

Then Nick reveals it is really Dotty - played by Molly Conlin.

John Altman, 56, who has played murderer Nick on and off since the soap
began in 1985, said: "Little Dotty's a chip off the old block, but even I
don't know who her mother is yet. We'll have to see if we find out."

He told The Sun: "It's wonderful to be back with such a bombshell. I loved
filming the Christmas scenes with June and I'm back to cause havoc in the
new year."

A host of old favourites have already been brought back by producer Diedrick
Santer, including Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson, Charlie Brooks as Janine
Evans and Sid Owen as Ricky Butcher.

John, who is starring as King Rat in panto Dick Whittington in Reading,
Berks, revealed he would love to stay longer.
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He said: "I'll be back for at least three months, I'd love to come back
permanently. Nick's a great character to play.

However, he doubts ex-heroin addict Nick is capable of staying in Walford
for long, despite his newfound responsibility.

John said: "Nick's a bad egg, I'm not sure the viewers would buy it if he
changed or found God. Though he is a dad now, so you never know. EastEnders
is the best it's ever been at the moment."