Nigel Bates returns to EastEnders for first time in 26 years ...

By Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Entertainment Reporter

Nigel Bates has returned to EastEnders for the first time in 26 years in the soap’s Christmas Eve episode.

The character, played by Paul Bradley, was seen at the community centre where Yolande Trueman, played by Angela Wynter, was volunteering during Tuesday’s episode.

Nigel left the BBC soap in April 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) left Albert Square to start a new life in Scotland with his partner Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn) and her son Josh Saunders (Jon Lee).

The BBC said Nigel will be reunited with his childhood best friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) on Christmas Day.

Bradley, 69, 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.”

During his first run in the show, his character’s biggest storylines saw him fall in love with his video shop employee Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett) before she was killed in a hit-and-run accident, and strike up a friendship with Dot Cotton, who saw him as the son she never had.

At school, Nigel was best friends with Phil and his brother Grant (Ross Kemp).

EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: “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.”