EastEnders fans have unearthed Stephen Aaron-Sipple's previous role on the soap, before he became the new Mark Fowler Jr. The actor took over from Ned Porteous this year as the son of Michelle Fowler and Grant Mitchell.
Aaron-Sipple made his first appearance as Mark in the New Year's Day flashforward episode. But he had actually been Walford back in 2020 - albeit on a flying visit.
The episode, which aired on 20 October, opened with a mysterious man (Aaron-Sipple) driving a fancy convertible around the Square. As he pulled up outside Sonia Fowler's house, she immediately chastised him for using the street as free parking.
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After confirming her identity, he jumped out of the car, telling her the keys were in the dashboard and handing her a letter. It was revealed that the vehicle was a gift for Sonia from a Covid-19 patient she had looked after - though the mystery driver was already gone by then.
The scene recently resurfaced after a clip was posted on TikTok by EastEndersGossip. Fans were shocked to see the actor's earlier stint on the soap, with some questioning why they didn't realise it sooner.
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"I've seen all the EastEnders episodes, so how come I've never seen this scene before?" wrote one, while another said: "I didn't even know he had been on it before."
"One thing about EastEnders, they're going to recycle an actor," laughed a third, with a fourth adding: "How can they even do this?"
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Aaron-Sipple made his Walford return six years later, in the special New Year's Day episode which took place in 2027. His appearance baffled viewers at the time as he seemed to have a connection to the Brannings, though he hadn't been introduced in the present day.
Later, Mark arrived on the Square needing help from his uncle Phil Mitchell, while claiming to be there to support his sister Vicki Fowler. He has since become embroiled in drug dealing, selling stolen cars and family drama, with an affair also seemingly on the horizon.
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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