Latest news with #KarenHenthorn
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders cancelled TONIGHT as sports schedule chaos hits the soaps again
EASTENDERS is cancelled tonight due to a schedule shake-up with sports fixtures. Fans of the BBC soap usually tune in to watch at 7.30pm on Monday through Thursday. Advertisement 4 EastEnders will be off viewers' screens for tonight Credit: BBC 4 The BBC soap's schedule has been disrupted by sports fixtures Credit: BBC 4 Recent episodes have seen Karen Henthorn return as Julie Bates Credit: BBC However, tonight viewers will not able to check in on the residents of Albert Square. BBC One is showing coverage of the Germany vs Spain Women's UEFA Euro semi-final. Match of the Day begins at 7.30pm and will be airing until 10.10pm tonight. It will be followed by the BBC News at 10 bulletin. Advertisement Read more on EastEnders Four episodes a week of the long-running soap opera are shown on terrestrial TV. However, extended sports coverage has meant that bosses were forced to make sweeping changes to the schedule. Previously, On Monday, dedicated fans instead received a double bill of EastEnders. Advertisement Most read in Soaps Spoiler These instalments saw much-loved Nigel Bates return to Walford - after he previously left in emotional scenes. Played by Paul Bradley, the 90s favourite EastEnders legend makes a shock return just days after quitting Walford It was soon revealed Nigel is next few months. A concerned Jay Brown contacted Nigel's wife, Julie (Karen Henthorn) - who'd had no idea where he was. Advertisement Karen reprised her role following more than two decades away - and a brief voice cameo earlier this year. After an emotional farewell, Julie took Nigel from Walford, intending to return to their home in Scotland . Darkest soap storylines Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock... EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the However, things took a frightening turn when he ran off during the journey. With the couple back in Albert Square, Phil proposed that all three live together - to help Nigel. Advertisement But will they all be able to co-exist under one roof? EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 4 Oscar Branning also recently returned to Albert Square Credit: BBC
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders cancelled TONIGHT as sports schedule chaos hits the soaps again
EASTENDERS is cancelled tonight due to a schedule shake-up with sports fixtures. Fans of the BBC soap usually tune in to watch at 7.30pm on Monday through Thursday. 4 4 4 However, tonight viewers will not able to check in on the residents of Albert Square. BBC One is showing coverage of the Germany vs Spain Women's UEFA Euro semi-final. Match of the Day begins at 7.30pm and will be airing until 10.10pm tonight. It will be followed by the BBC News at 10 bulletin. Four episodes a week of the long-running soap opera are shown on terrestrial TV. However, extended sports coverage has meant that bosses were forced to make sweeping changes to the schedule. Previously, EastEnders episodes were shown to viewers early on iPlayer due to coverage of the 2025 Wimbledon tennis tournament. On Monday, dedicated fans instead received a double bill of EastEnders. These instalments saw much-loved Nigel Bates return to Walford - after he previously left in emotional scenes. Played by Paul Bradley, the 90s favourite returned to the square last year after a 26-year absence. EastEnders legend makes a shock return just days after quitting Walford It was soon revealed Nigel is battling early onset dementia - with childhood friend Phil Mitchell taking care of him over the next few months. A concerned Jay Brown contacted Nigel's wife, Julie (Karen Henthorn) - who'd had no idea where he was. Karen reprised her role following more than two decades away - and a brief voice cameo earlier this year. After an emotional farewell, Julie took Nigel from Walford, intending to return to their home in Scotland. Darkest soap storylines Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock... EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca's adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police. Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose. Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap's first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance. Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it's not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn't. However, things took a frightening turn when he ran off during the journey. With the couple back in Albert Square, Phil proposed that all three live together - to help Nigel. But will they all be able to co-exist under one roof? EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 4
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders legend confirms permanent return after 27 years
back for good The actress is back for the soap's heartbreaking ongoing storyline as her character clashes with Phil Mitchell Amanda Devlin EASTENDERS actor Karen Henthorn is returning to the soap for the first time since 1998. The soap star is coming back as Nigel Bates' wife Julie amid his dementia battle. 3 3 3 However, Nigel walked out on her over a year ago without being honest about his diagnosis. Next week, she will go up against Nigel's best pal Phil Mitchell as they row over his care. Karen said: "Even with the Phil situation, Julie knows that as long as she's with Nigel – and he knows how much she loves him – that's what matters. "They are facing a hard road ahead, but they've got each other now. "Julie loves Nigel more than anyone else, and she'll go above and beyond to help him. Phil can be as difficult as he wants to Julie, she's not going anywhere." Phil is left furious when Julie reveals she wants to take Nigel back to Scotland with her. "She's really angry because Phil knew where Nigel was all this time, and he could have told Julie," Karen adds. "She doesn't understand why he didn't get in touch with her, and that leads to clashes between them. "Also, Julie believes Nigel should have as much support as possible, so she doesn't get why Phil is trying to cut her out." Nigel was seen back on EastEnders for the first time in 27 years when he appeared in the 2024 Christmas Eve episode. The character left the show in April 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Clare fled Albert Square to start a new life in Scotland with his partner Julie Haye and her son Josh. Actor Paul Bradley said at the time he was "thrilled and honoured" to be back.
BreakingNews.ie
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
EastEnders star Karen Henthorn reprising role as Julie Bates after 27 years
EastEnders star Karen Henthorn is reprising her role as Julie Bates, 27 years after she was last seen in Albert Square. It comes after her husband Nigel Bates, played by Paul Bradley, returned to Walford last year after leaving Julie without explanation. Advertisement He initially told friends that they had separated, but later admitted he did not want his dementia to become a burden for Julie, so chose to disappear. Henthorn 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. Karen Henthorn returns as Julie Bates (BBC Pictures/Jack Barnes/EastEnders/PA) '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.' Advertisement Executive producer Ben Wadey said: '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.' Nigel left the BBC soap in April 1998, when he and his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) left Albert Square to start a new life in Scotland with Julie and her son Josh Saunders (Jon Lee). Henthorn's voice was heard on screen earlier this year when viewers saw Nigel listen to a voicemail message from Julie. Advertisement
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Karen Henthorn returns to EastEnders as Nigel Bates' wife Julie arrives in Walford
Karen Henthorn is reprising her role as Nigel's wife Julie Bates in EastEnders this summer - 27 years after she was last seen in Albert Square. Nigel left Julie last year without explanation and returned to Walford, initially telling friends that they had separated. Later, Nigel admitted that he didn't want to become a burden to Julie, so he chose to disappear and deal with his dementia alone. However, Julie is set to discover the truth when she arrives in Albert Square. Watch EastEnders on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist Karen last appeared in the show in 1998 when Julie and Nigel moved to Scotland to start a new life together. Executive Producer Ben Wadey says: '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 Henthorn says: '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.' Karen's voice was heard on-screen earlier this year when viewers saw Nigel listen to a voicemail message from Julie. CT3 Follow For More
