EastEnders fans got a Christmas treat last night (24 December) as Nigel Bates returned to the BBC soap for the first time in 26 years.
Nigel, played by Paul Bradley, appeared in the Christmas Eve episode at a community centre where Angela Wynter’s Yolande Trueman was volunteering.
Bradley, 69, left the show back in April 1998, with Nigel and his adopted daughter Clare leaving Albert Square to start a new life in Scotland with his partner Julie Haye and her son Josh.
His key storylines on the show back then saw him fall in love with and marry Nicola Duffett’s video shop worker Debbie Tyler, who then died after being hit by a car. Nigel also struck up a friendship with June Brown’s Dot Cotton, who became a maternal figure to him.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of his return, Bradley said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be back. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street.”
In tonight’s Christmas Day episode, Nigel will reunite with Steve McFadden’s Phil Mitchell.
Nigel is returning with a long-term storyline, with executive producer Chris Clenshaw teasing: “There’s a lot of mystery about Nigel’s situation and why he’s here alone, which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Phil has never needed support more than he does this Christmas, so we’re excited to reunite these two old friends.”
Of returning to work with McFadden, Bradley said: “I’m a huge admirer of his work, and he sets the bar really high.”
EastEnders fans have been sharing their delight at Nigel’s return on X, with one writing: “OMG Nigel Bates is back!!!!!”
Another added: “OMG Nigel Bates is here for the long haul. I’m so excited!”
A third wrote: “Was lovely to see Nigel back yesterday after all these years. Love his character. I’m thrilled to hear he’s back for a proper stint around Phil’s loneliness. I thought it might be something to do with that.”
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EastEnders airs tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One. Check out the rest of the BBC’s Christmas schedule here, and all the shows we think are worth watching (and avoiding) across the channels and streamers here.
