Hollyoaks star Gemma Bissix has signed up for a shock return to the show – 12 years

after her character was sensationally killed off.

Gemma has agreed to reprise her role as legendary villain Clare Devine and will be back on our

screens next month, according to a report in The Sun today.

Soap fans feared they’d seen the last of Clare when she was mowed down by a car driven by her ruthless enemy Doctor Browning in October 2013.

Clare seemingly lost her life instantly, but show bosses soon brought in her scheming sister Grace Black to continue the family’s legacy.

Related: Exclusive – Hollyoaks’ Isabelle Smith reveals close bond with Corrie star

A Hollyoaks spokesperson declined to comment when approached by Digital Spy about the bombshell return news.

While it seems that fans will have to wait for further details – including how and why Clare is back – they’ll undoubtedly be eager to see her share dramatic scenes with Grace for the first time ever.

It’ll also be interesting to see whether Clare still holds a grudge against Mercedes McQueen. After all, Mercedes was the one who shoved Clare just before she was hit by Browning in the road…

Clare’s comeback takes place as Hollyoaks pulls out all the stops for its milestone 30^th anniversary year.

Related: Hollyoaks star teases big reveal for John Paul in deadly Jez story

Producers have been hard at work behind the scenes plotting a celebration to remember, with huge storylines planned to mark the occasion in style this October.

With Clare reappearing, it seems that the bosses want some familiar faces back in the build-up, so could even more be on the way soon?

Gemma played the role of Clare from 2006, taking over from original actor Samantha Rowley in the part.

Speaking in 2020, Gemma told us: “I’m great friends now with Tamara Wall, who plays Clare’s sister Grace. I think it would have been lovely to do some sister scenes with her.

Related: 9 huge Hollyoaks spoilers for next week

“Looking back on it now, it would have been fantastic to explore that, but they were going for the full shock. It was a shock [when Clare died] – people weren’t expecting it and it was a very well-kept secret.

“But I think people were a bit gutted about it, from all the stuff I read! That is a compliment, though, isn’t it?”

On the possibility of sister scenes between Clare and Grace, she added at the time: “It’d be really nice to explore that. I don’t know what’s left in the village for Clare, but the writers and producers are fantastic and I’m sure they’d find a way if they wanted to.”