Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has made an unannounced return to EastEnders after 26 years in tonight’s episode.
The character appeared between 1992 and 1998, though hasn’t been seen since.
It was first reported earlier this month that actor Paul Bradley would be reprising his role ahead of the 40th Anniversary celebrations next year.
The event will be marked by yet another live edition, which will hand the viewers the power to decide the outcome of a romance storyline.
We were in for quite a shock in tonight’s episode when he was seen at the community centre soup kitchen with Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter), who had rediscovered her faith following an emotional meeting with the other survivors of Pastor Clayton’s (Howard Saddler) abuse.
With Nigel making such a surprise return, and it apparent that he has lost his way since then, you may be wondering what he was up to last time he lived in Walford.
Luckily, Metro has all the answers!
Who is Nigel Bates in EastEnders?
Nigel is an old school friend of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).
He first arrived in Albert Square 32 years ago, and lodged with Dot Cotton (June Brown) – striking up an unlikely friendship with the god-fearing, chain-smoking icon.
Before long, a love interest was introduced for him and he fell head over heels for Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett).
He adopted her daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) and took parental responsibility of her following Debbie’s death.
Clare returned to EastEnders in 2008, though without Nigel.
He kept in contact with Dot from his new home in Scotland, and she visited him off-screen a year later when he suffered a heart attack.
Has Paul Bradley appeared in another soap?
Paul is probably best known for his role as Elliot Hope in now axed BBC medical drama Holby City, a part he played for ten years between 2005 and 2015, then again in 2019 for the 20th anniversary celebrations.
He last appeared in 2022, to coincide with the show’s final episodes.
Elliot was also a character in parent show Casualty, making guest appearances in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Actor Paul has also recently appeared in BBC One’s Beyond Paradise, and in two episodes of Doctors, which aired its final episode last month.
His earliest role was in madcap sitcom The Young Ones in 1982.
