Latest news with #NigelBates
The Sun
a day 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
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders legend makes a shock return just days after quitting Walford – and he's not alone
AN EASTENDERS legend made a shock return to the soap today - just days after quitting Walford. Nigel Bates - who is played by actor Paul Bradley in the BBC soap - said an emotional farewell to Albert Square last week after being reunited with estranged wife Julie. 2 2 Viewers know Nigel is suffering from dementia and left Julie rather than let her see his decline. He returned to Walford at Christmas and has been cared for by old pal Phil Mitchell in the months since. Last week Jay Brown discovered Julie had been desperately searching for Nigel and had reported him missing. He got in contact and summoned her to Walford where she discovered the truth about Nigel's condition. Determined to care for him as his wife, Julie convinced Nigel to return to Scotland to their life and promised to look after him. However just days into their reunion, Nigel went missing again - not able to remember who Julie was nor why he was with her. In tonight's double bill of the soap, Julie made a shock return to Walford searching for Nigel once more. He'd done a runner in the train station as they travelled back up to Edinburgh. Julie ran to Walford and found Phil to see if Nigel had returned there. And it wasn't long until he did with Callum finding him at the tube station. Nigel later told Phil that he wanted to stay, and in a heartbreaking moment couldn't remember who Julie was - leading Phil to make a shock offer. He asked Julie to stay too - and invited her to move in so they could both stay with Nigel and help him. Is it ageing or dementia? Dementia - the most common form of which is Alzheimer's - comes on slowly over time. As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe. But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing. The US National Institute on Aging gives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease. You can refer to these above. For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulties having conversation would be more indicative of dementia. Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer's Research UK's Information Services team, previously told The Sun: 'We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them. 'As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door. 'That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age. 'In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house. 'What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn't belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.'
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders cancelled tonight as soap schedule chaos continues
EASTENDERS has been cancelled tonight as the soap schedule chaos continues. More sport will air on the BBC as viewers were forced to switch to iPlayer to catch the latest goings-on in Albert Square. EastEnders usually airs around 7:30pm every Monday through to Thursday on BBC One. 5 5 5 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. Even though Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the tense final, more sport will be shown on the corporation's flagship channel. Tonight at 7pm, Gabby Logan, 52, will take to the airwaves live from Zurich until 10:15pm. She will front coverage of the latest match at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament as England take on Sweden. The BBC News at 10 bulletin will actually start later at 10:15pm due to the extended coverage. This means that bosses at the publicly funded broadcaster were forced to make changes for one the nation's favourite soaps. Two episodes of EastEnders were shown on Tuesday night (15th July) as the serial drama was knocked off the schedule for the 17th July. Viewers got to see a double bill of episodes staring at 7:30pm for a full hour of Walford action. This comes as an EastEnders legend quit Walford in extremely emotional scenes this week. Nigel Bates returned to the square last year, after a 26-year absence from the long-running soap. Fans found out that Nigel was battling early onset dementia as his friend Phil Mitchell took care of him in his home for months. Jay Brown was worried about the strain this is putting on Phil, so he contacted Nigel's wife Julie - who'd reported him missing. It later transpired that Nigel lied to Phil about his split, as he had actually walked out on his marriage to protect Julie from eventually seeing his deteriorating condition. Both Phil and Julie fought their case for Nigel to stay with them, but he elected to return to Scotland. 5 5
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders legend quits Albert Square TONIGHT in heart-wrenching scenes - leaving best friend crushed
An EastEnders legend quits Albert Square during Tuesday's episode of the BBC soap. This evening's instalment (15 July) - which is available to watch on iPlayer now - will see Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) wave goodbye to Walford in heart-wrenching scenes. Right at the end of the instalment the pair are stood outside next to a taxi ahead of their journey home. Julie tells Nigel: 'I think we should just go. 'Sometimes it's easier on everyone to just slip out. I think Phil might prefer it that way.' As he tries to walk away, she says: 'You've got me!' This evening's instalment (15 July) will see Nigel and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) wave goodbye to Walford in heart-wrenching scenes (pictured) Nigel steps into the car and Julie tells him: 'Just focus on me.' Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) is seen watching them from afar and smiles at the pair. Julie gives her eye contact and steps into the taxi. As Nigel looks out of the window of the vehicle, Linda smiles back at him. 'Let's get going, we don't want to miss that train, do we?' Linda tells Nigel as she puts her seat belt on. The taxi drives away from the Square and Phil is captured sitting in his kitchen looking at an old picture of Nigel. Some have taken to X to share their heartbreak already. One said: 'I am so sad Nigel is gone. Loved the storyline and now poor Phil is alone again, hope they bring him back soon.' 'Oh no Nigel! I didn't think he was really leaving. I had hoped Julie would decide to move in to help Phil with him.' 'Goodbye, Nigel.' 'phil and linda in todays ep… i'm grateful they didn't kill nigel off the show he's been such a pleasure to watch these past few weeks.' Just last month Karen's return to the BBC soap was confirmed. The actress, 62, previously played Julie Bates on the show between 1997 and 1998. Her alter-ego was last seen in Walford 27 years ago when she moved to Scotland with her husband Nigel. But as viewers will know, Nigel returned to the Square in 2024, and told everyone that they had split... but it was actually he wanted to deal with his dementia by himself. The cafe worker felt as if he was weighing his wife down. However she returned to the Square to tell him that she's sticking around. Karen said of reprising her role: '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.' Executive Producer 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.' EastEnders isn't the only role that Karen has held on a soap over the years - she also played Teresa Bryant on Coronation Street between 2007 and 2009. She's also been in Doctors, Heartbeat and Trollied. The star also played the school inspector in Young Dracula. More recently she took on the role of Emily in The Listeners. The actress currently teaches students at the Italia Conti Academy. Meanwhile Paul appeared on EastEnders between 1992 and 1998, followed by another stint in 2024. He has also landed roles in various other TV shows such as Holby City, My Family, Doctors, The Bill and Beyond Paradise. Announcing the news that he would be back on the Square, Paul said: He said: 'I'm thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street. 'Returning has been great as I'm so familiar with many of the faces at EastEnders, and they are a very friendly bunch. 'It's fantastic to work with Steve McFadden again - I'm a huge admirer of his work, and he sets the bar really high. I'm having a really good time.' EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders legend quits Walford in emotional scenes – leaving close friend devastated
AN EastEnders legend quit Walford in emotional scenes - leaving their close friend devastated in the process. Nigel Bates returned to the BBC soap last year, after a 26-year absence. 5 5 In poignant scenes airing tonight, the much-loved character leaves Walford in a taxi. Fans know Nige l is battling early onset dementia - with friend Phil Mitchell taking care of him for months. Jay Brown is worried about the strain this is putting on Phil, so he contacts Nigel's wife Julie - who'd reported him missing. Upon her return to Albert Square, Julie and Phil clash over not telling her where her husband's been all this time. When Nigel first resurfaced, he lied to Phil that he and Julie had split after she left him for another man. It later transpired he had walked out - to protect her from eventually seeing his deteriorating condition. Both determined, Phil and Julie fight their case for Nigel to stay with them. However, the beloved character ultimately decides to return to Scotland with Julie. As the couple prepare to depart, Phil can't bring himself to go outside and say goodbye. After a heart-to-heart with Linda Carter, he's sat alone in his kitchen, and looks at a photo of a younger Nigel with his daughter Clare. Karen Henthorn reprised her role as Julie after 27 years away - bar a voice cameo earlier this year. Speaking ahead of her return, the actress 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." She added: "She's really angry because Phil knew where Nigel was all this time, and he could have told Julie. "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." EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 5 5
