 Although Shirley was happy with her exit storyline, she had originally hoped Carly would be killed on-screen.In August 2012, it was announced that Shirley was to reprise her role as Carly, for a "short, dramatic storyline".Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy later stated "exact details of Carly's return storyline are currently being kept under wraps, it is understood that viewers will see her back in Walford to visit Shirley after the truth is finally revealed about Heather Trott's (Cheryl Fergison) murder".