EastEnders spoilers follow
EastEnders kicked Christmas off with a bang tonight as a classic character returned to the square.
Nigel Bates has made his way back to Walford after 26 years away, with the character making a shock appearance on tonight’s (Tuesday, December 24) Christmas Eve episode.
Played by Paul Bradley, Nigel was last seen in April 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Clare left to start a new life in Scotland with his partner Julie Haye and her son Josh.
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Tonight saw Yolande return to the church to meet other women who were also assaulted by Pastor Clayton.
After making an emotional breakthrough with the other women, Yolande then went to the community centre to help give out food.
While there, she spoke to a man with long grey hair and an unkempt beard who she shared a drink with.
Having arrived in Albert Square five years after Nigel left, Yolande had no idea she was talking to a former resident.
When she asked him if he’d travelled far, Nigel replied: “I have as it goes,” adding that “memories” were what brought him to Walford.
Nigel had been rumoured to be one of the classic characters who would be returning to the soap ahead of its 40th anniversary and special live episode in February.
Following tonight’s episode, speaking to Digital Spy and other press, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw confirmed that Nigel would be back for a “long stint”.
A press release from Eastenders has further teased that “Phil Mitchell will receive a ghost of Christmas past this year as the two friends reconnect”.
Speaking about his return to the soap, actor Paul Bradley 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.”
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He added: “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.”
Clenshaw added: “It’s fantastic to welcome Paul Bradley back as Nigel Bates, a character much-loved by long-time EastEnders viewers.
“There’s a lot of mystery about Nigel’s situation and why he’s here alone, which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Phil has never needed support more than he does this Christmas, so we’re excited to reunite these two old friends.”
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.