EastEnders has confirmed the return of a Watford legend after almost three decades off screen.
The popular character is back on Albert Square after leaving as part of the climax of an exciting storyline in the nineties.
Nigel Bates, played by Paul Bradley, has made his BBC comeback after 26 years away.
The last time Paul was on screens in his famous role was in 1998, when he and his adopted daughter Clare left to start a new life in Scotland.
But after returning down south, Nigel has reunited with some other well-known faces.
In first-look pictures the familiar face is seen looking dishevelled, sat on a bench in a white T-shirt, blue shirt and beige zip-cardigan with unkempt grey hair.
EastEnders has confirmed the return of a Watford legend after almost three decades off screen – Nigel Bates, played by Paul Bradley has returned to the BBC soap after 26 years away
The last time Paul was on screens in his famous role was 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Clare left to start a new life in Scotland
In first-look pictures the familiar face is seen looking dishevelledc, sat on a bench in a white T-shirt, blue shirt and beige zip-cardigan with unkempt grey hair, joined by Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFaddon
In another snap he’s seen sat alongside Phil, dressed all in black, who looks shocked to see his old sidekick.
Another shot shows Nigel scrubbed up, wearing a brown coat over a black T-shirt and brown trousers with his hair cut and straggly beard shaved off.
According to The Sun Nigel is first introduced when he appears at Yolande Trueman’s community centre’s soup kitchen.
When Yolande asks him why he has returned to Albert Square, all Nigel says is ‘Memories,’ before wishing her a merry Christmas.
It was previously revealed Nigel would be making a comeback for the show’s 40th anniversary, but it has yet to be revealed exactly what has brought the character back.
Nigel was first introduced as a comic relief sidekick to the Mitchell Brothers and a blast from the past from their school days.
And Nigel proved to be a firm friend, visiting Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp) in Walford before moving there after his mother’s death.
Nigel and Dot Cotton, played by June Brown, formed a key plot and the sidekick lodged with the EastEnders veteran, becoming the first of many waifs and strays that she befriended.
Another shot shows Nigel scrubbed up, wearing a brown coat over a black T-shirt and brown trousers with his hair cut and straggly beard shaved off
Nigel’s main love was Debbie Tyler, played by Nicola Duffett and the character even became a step-father to her daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix)
Although tragically his marriage to Debbie came to an abrupt end when she was killed in a hit-and-run, Nigel vowed to continue to care for Clare, even battling for custody of her against her abusive father Liam
And their bond was so strong that Nigel became like a surrogate son to Dot, although this didn’t go down well with everybody and formed the basis of a feud between himself and Dot’s biological son Nick Cotton (John Altman).
The other lady in Nigel’s life was Debbie Tyler, played by Nicola Duffett.
Nigel became a step-father to her daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) and despite her abusive biological father Liam – played by Francis Magee – trying to come between them, Nigel proved his love for his new daughter.
Although tragically his marriage to Debbie came to an abrupt end when she was killed in a hit-and-run, Nigel vowed to continue to care for Clare, even battling for custody of her against her abusive father Liam.
And there was life after love for the character who fell for Lorraine Wicks (Jacqueline Leonard) who just so happened to be the wife of Nigel’s bets friend.
But after forcing himself to forget Lorraine, Nigel found love again with teacher Julie Haye, played by Karen Henthorn.
And showing his commitment to his new leading lady, he followed her and her son Josh up to Scotland with Clare.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.