Michelle Keegan has signed up for another series of Sky comedy Brassic after it was commissioned for a fourth season, The Mirror can confirm.
The popular series, which has been busy filming the third instalment, focuses on a group of hapless mates as they debate leaving their fictional northern town of Hawley for a fresh start away from crime.
The show received winning reviews from critics and led to a Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards for scriptwriter Danny Brocklehurst this year.
Speculation about Michelle's return to the show for a fourth time peaked in light of a report that said she "jumped at the chance" to reprise Erin Croft, a single mum seeking a better life for herself and son Tyler.
"Michelle loves the show and filming as Erin - she jumped at the chance to play her again," an TV insider told The Sun.
Aside from Michelle, 34, the show stars Joe Gilgun (Vinnie), Damien Molony (Dylan), Tom Hanson (Cardi) and Aaron Heffernan (Ash).
Season two left viewers on a cliffhanger after Vinnie and his pals' plot to steal a wedding - yes, an actual wedding - was foiled.
And as Vinnie was being taken away by police he declared his feelings for Erin, and told her: "I know it's wrong, but you're the first thing in the morning, and you're the last thing at night."
Replying to the romantic declaration, Erin said: "I just...I don't know how to tell you how much you mean to me."
But before he was taken away Erin whispered something inaudible in his ear, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats for another series.
The upcoming third series, which is set to be released later this years, sees Vinnie getting released from prison - and attempting to stay out of trouble, which clearly doesn't last long.
Filming for the upcoming instalment wrapped earlier this year after several delays due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
At the end of September 2020, it was reported that Michelle was tested for coronavirus after a Brassic crew member began to show symptoms.
Filming had to be halted to allow actors and production staff to be tested for the deadly virus on the set of the show. However things were up and running again in October last year.
Elsewhere, Portugal may have been added to the amber travel list but that doesn't appear to have stopped Michelle and husband Mark Wright.
The pair appeared to avoid the rush back to Blighty on Tuesday and were spotted enjoying a series of boozy meals in the Algarve with members of their family.
Mark's sister Jess Wright shared a series of clips to her social media showing the group sitting down at a beach restaurant to enjoy a night out.
The former TOWIE star's snaps showed the trio joined by Jess' fiance William Lee-Kemp, her brother Josh and his wife Hollie, sister Natalya and her boyfriend and her parents Big Mark Wright and Carole.
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