EastEnders confirms long-awaited return for 'missing' character after 27 years
Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) is in for a shock in EastEnders very soon, as his wife Julie Bates arrives in Walford.
Star Karen Henthorn will reprise her role as Julie who was last seen in the BBC One soap 27 years ago.
Shortly after Nigel returned to Albert Square, we learnt that he had suddenly left Julie without any explanation. When he got back to Walford, he told his close friends that they had separated.
It then became apparent that Nigel actually left the family home after learning of his dementia diagnosis. He didn't want to become a burden to Julie, so he left and faced the illness on his own.
With Julie set to discover the truth very soon, how will Nigel react to seeing her again?
Discussing her return to the soap, star Karen said: 'It's very surreal to be back in Albert Square after 27 years and working with the delightful Paul Bradley again – it's scary how fast the time has gone! Julie has got some awful surprises ahead of her after the initial relief she feels to discover Nigel is still alive.
'It's been great to film with Paul and Steve (McFadden), who are such lovely actors, as Julie discovers Nigel's dementia diagnosis and why he chose to hide it from her.'
New producer of the show Ben Wadey added: 'We are delighted to have Karen Henthorn returning to reprise her role as Julie, who arrives looking for Nigel. Julie hasn't seen Nigel in almost two years and is unaware of his diagnosis and reasons for leaving, so her arrival will pose questions for the pair of them.'
Karen last appeared in the show in 1998 when Julie and Nigel moved to Scotland to start a new life together. Her voice was heard on-screen earlier this year, when viewers saw Nigel listen to a voicemail from his wife. More Trending
Julie was mentioned this week in the soap, when Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) realised just how out of his depth Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) had become while looking after Nigel.
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Kat noticed that something was wrong, and her ex-husband initially tried to cover for what had happened earlier in the day.
She then began to question where Julie was, and why she wasn't on hand to help. Phil explained that she hadn't seen Nigel in years, and Kat was seen in a moment of reflection.
Will Kat contact Julie, therefore bringing her to Albert Square?
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MORE: EastEnders' Phil makes huge decision in early streaming release as character is declared dead
MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025
MORE: Kat reels in EastEnders as she makes unexpected discovery about Phil
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