EastEnders confirms another return for Clare Bates in Nigel death story

As Madonna reigns as the Queen of the pop comeback, Gemma Bissix holds the crown in Soapland between her tenures as Clare Devine and Clare Bates, and she’ll be making another big return to EastEnders imminently when her alter-ego’s adoptive dad, Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) finally succumbs to dementia.

Gemma made a comeback to Walford earlier this year after an eighteen year absence to reunite with Nigel and his wife, Julie (Karen Henthorn), who she’d not been seen on screen with since 1998.

Ever since Nigel returned and revealed that he’d been diagnosed with the disease, fans had clamoured for Clare to make a reappearance and their wishes were granted when Julie finally summoned his estranged daughter to Albert Square as Nigel prepared to enter a care home.

‘It was a real pleasure to be asked to reprise the role of Clare for Nigel’s storyline,’ said Gemma at the time.

‘I was hoping to get the call as I think the fans wanted EastEnders to revisit their relationship. Nigel and Clare were a formidable pairing in the 90’s with a very unique stepfather/stepdaughter relationship!

‘It has been so great to reconnect with Paul and Karen after all these years, and it’s crazy how time felt like it had stopped when we did!

‘I grew up on the set of EastEnders and essentially learnt my craft there, so it’s been a real full circle moment! Whilst it will be an emotional reunion, I hope the viewers will be pleased to see Clare and Nigel on screen together once again!’

…and pleased they were!

In their initial stint in the show, Nigel adopted Clare after his wife, Clare’s mum Debbie (Nicola Duffett) was killed in a hit and run.

A vicious custody battle ensued between Nigel and Clare’s abusive biological dad, Liam Tyler (Francis Magee), which Nigel ultimately won.

Nigel later met Julie, who was Clare’s teacher and fell in love, just as Clare herself struck up a relationship with Julie’s son, Josh (Jon Lee), and the four departed Walford together for a new life.

Clare re-emerged upon being summoned by Julie and was utterly horrified at just how far Nigel’s condition had progressed, damaging their already fractured relationship. Nigel had taken to calling Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) Clare, no longer recognised his daughter.