The character was killed in a hit-and-run on the BBC soap in the 1990s
Nigel Bates was visited by his first wife on EastEnders(Image: BBC)
EastEnders fans were left ‘completely broken’ by the return of a character not seen in 30 years in a major Nigel Bates twist on the BBC soap.
Viewers knew that this week would see both Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson returning as Pat Butcher and her son Barry Evans respectively. The pair were added to a plot where Nigel was losing his sense of reality as a result of his battle with dementia.
Pat died in 2012 following a battle with cancer, while Barry was famously pushed off a cliff by Janine Butcher. However, EastEnders bosses kept the biggest secret hidden the entire time without anyone suspecting a thing.
Scenes aired on Tuesday night (December 23), saw Nigel alone in the Queen Vic as his friends watched the movies he’s spent weeks working on. Nigel began imagining he was back in the 1990s, initially meeting Pat, who immediately knew something was wrong with Nigel and that he needed help.
With Nigel getting worried about his missing present that he was going to give his wife Julie Bates, Pat’s son Barry emerged to sing Mud’s It’ll Be Lonely This Christmas on stage. He even managed to get a reluctant Nigel to join in with him.
From here, Barry and Nigel began talking about women, with Barry ominously telling Nigel he doesn’t want to end up with a ‘psycho’. The pair’s conversation was interrupted by younger versions of Phil and Grant Mitchell, who were arguing over a girl. Once again playing the younger duo was actors Daniel Delaney and Teddy Jay.
In a major twist, Nigel was then visited by his first wife Debbie. Played by Nicola Duffett, the character and actress has not been seen in over three decades after she was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Nigel Bates and Pat Butcher on EastEnders(Image: BBC)
First appearing in EastEnders in 1993, Debbie was introduced as barwomen Tracey’s close friend, who moved to Walford with her daughter Clare. Seeking to escape her abusive husband Liam, who Phil and Grant kidnapped to keep him away from Nigel and Debbie’s wedding day.
After Debbie was killed, Nigel adopted Clare and entered a custody battle with Liam. Eventually when he met Julie, the family moved to Scotland, where they remained until Nigel returned last year.
Nigel and Debbie’s reunion saw them dancing to Frankie Goes To Hollwood’s The Power of Love as they reflected on their time spent together. However, Nigel eventually came around when his current wife Julie told him she found the present he was looking for, which was revealed to be a necklace asking her to remember him.
The episode ended on an emotional note with Phil breaking the news to Nigel that he is unable to provide the support he needs and he will have to be put in a care home.
Following an episode which didn’t leave a dry eye in the house, EastEnders fans took to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on how it felt to see Debbie back on their screens.
@startturntable said on X, previously known as Twitter: “Completely broke when Nigel slow danced with Debbie to The Power of Love #eastenders.” @skinglo_afro added DEBBIE?!!!!! Now she wasn’t announced #EastEnders.”
@buchan_jam77143 wrote: “I have to say, that episode was phenomenal, don’t you think? #EastEnders the return of pat, Barry, Debbie, young Phil and grant was just phenomenal. Praise to all Cast involved @bbceastenders.”
@ElevensMelody commented on Reddit: “First episode I’ve watched in a couple of months. I only tuned in because of Nigel, Pat and Barry. It was fantastic. The nods. The returns. The performances. Everything was done to a very high standard. This is the EE we love. Loved seeing Debbie again, 30 years on from her death.” @AhhBisto posted: “The use of Pat and Barry was wonderful, and having Debbie show up was lovely, as was the use of young Phil and Grant.”