IT'S Hallowe'en, that creepy time of the year when ghosts and ghoulish come out of the woodwork. And with immaculate timing one of Soapland's most infamous villains is resurrected. Lock up your daughters and hang on to your wallet, Nasty Nick Cotton is back stalking the streets of Walford in EastEnders (BBC1).

But he's dead, I hear you say. Unfortunately for the residents of Albert Square reports of his death have been exaggerated. Rumours of late have suggested that his funeral earlier this year was a fake. So it proves. Nick has more lives than a cat, although not everyone is in on the secret at the moment.

Charlie and pregnant girlfriend Da-Do-Ron-Ronnie announce their engagement, but their jubilant mood vanishes in a flash when they go into Dot Cotton's kitchen and find Nasty Nick sitting there, alive and well and intent on causing trouble. Nasty Nick – a criminal who's been nick nicked more than most – offers them a deal. A secret deal, so don't expect me to divulge its contents.

Before Nasty Nick's mum Dot Cotton can see him, he vanishes in the night. Cinderella left her shoe at the ball, Nasty Nick leaves a cigarette butt. Smoker Dot, something of a cigarette expert, recognises it as being Nasty Nick's favourite brand.

Nasty Nick isn't the only unpleasant character in the Square. Lauren comes face to fax with her stalker in EastEnders (BBC1). This is worrying as some believe she was the intended victim the night Lucy Beale was murdered. Over at the Vic, scene of much mayhem over the years, there's a Hallowe'en party for which residents make themselves look as awful as possible. Some of them don't even have to put on make-up. Landlord Mick comes as Herman Munster with son Johnny as vampire son Eddie Munster. Fangs for the memory as someone once said.

Mick's eldest son Lee and girlfriend Whitney dress up as a spooky bride and groom, so perhaps real life marriage is on the cards. There is a wedding in Soapland next week – or there is supposed to be. Needless to say there are a few hiccoughs as Terrible Tracy and Rotten Rob prepare for their big day.

Rob rather puts a damper on things by confiding in his sister that he's the real killer of Temptress Tina and not Peter Barlow, who's been found guilty of the crime. He has no choice because he gets confused about his alibi the night she died. So he 'fesses up to his sister, but will family loyalty keep her from telling and spoiling his wedding day? Perhaps Carla will spill the beans at that bit in the ceremony when the congregation is asked if anyone knows why the pair shouldn't be married.

Talking of which – marriage, that is – Handy Andy and Katie are looking towards a Christmas wedding. There's a cloud on the horizon and his name is Robert Sugden. He's back in Emmerdale (ITV1) now that his prospective father-in-law has bought Home Farm and become the lord of the manor.

Fiancée Chrissie decides to test Robert's feelings towards her. Since moving to the big house, she's been hearing stories about his past, notably his dalliance with Katie. Robert, you see, had an affair with brother Handy Andy's then-wife Katie. Now Andy and Katie are together again, but Robert's return could see things turning nastier than Nick.