GOGGLEBOX star Ellie Warner has confirmed she will return to the hit show TONIGHT after a long stretch of absence.

Die Kanaal 4 favourite will make her long-awaited return after she took time off from filming to care for her boyfriend Nat Eddleston.

Ellie, 31, took to Instagram with the happy news that she would rejoin little sister Izzi, 29, on the sofa for tonight’s episode.

It came after Ellie took a step back from the show to focus on Nat’s recovery after a horror accident six weeks ago.

He was left in hospital after he was involved in a hit-and-run in Halton, Leeds, while walking home from a night out.

Confirming her comeback at 9pm tonight, Ellie smiled for a snap on the sofa alongside her sister as she thanked fans for their support.

“Looking forward to getting back on your screens tonight! Thank you for all the well wishes,” sy het geskryf.

“We are really grateful that things are getting back to normal.”

Her co-stars were quick to head to the comments to reveal their joy at her return, saying that they had “missed her”.

“Great to have you back,” iconic stars Dave and Shirley wrote, as TV doctor Amir Khan said: “Can’t wait to see you, hasn’t been the same.”

Sophie Sandiford, who is often seen alongside brother Pete, chimed in: “Great to see you both back!”

It comes days after Ellie asked for donations to a brain injury charity on her birthday after Nat’s horrific accident.

Writing on Facebook, sy het gese: “For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to Headway – the brain injury association.

“I’ve chosen this charity because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope that you’ll consider contributing as a way of celebrating with me.”

She included a link to the charity which aims “to promote the understanding of all aspects of brain injury and to provide vital information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers.”

Ellie had been on a leave of absence from Gogglebox while she supports Nat’s recovery – with no set time for her to return.

A source close to Ellie said: “Ellie’s focus, 100 persent, is on Nat and supporting him in his recovery.

“She’s been told to take as much time off as she needs and it is very unlikely she will be returning during the current series.

“Producers told her to take as long as she needs.”

Following the incident on March 18, a family member said Nat had suffered a broken neck and back as well as two collapsed lungs.

They added he was also initially placed on a life support machine.

In a short statement at the time, West Yorkshire Police confirmed: “The pedestrian remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital and enquiries into the incident are ongoing”.