{"id":292163,"date":"2025-11-30T23:06:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T23:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/292163\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T23:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T23:06:11","slug":"eastenders-barry-star-shaun-williamson-shares-the-heartbreaking-reason-behind-his-return-to-the-soap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/292163\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders\u2019 Barry star Shaun Williamson shares the heartbreaking reason behind his return to the soap"},"content":{"rendered":"

EastEnders legend Shaun Williamson reveals the major driving force behind his return to the BBC soap and how much the storyline impacted him\"ShaunShaun Williamson reveals dementia storyline is close to his heart(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Avid EastEnders<\/a> viewers will remember Barry Evans’<\/a> final scene as Janine pushed him off a cliff in order to gain financially. And his exit left many devastated. But now Shaun Williamson is back<\/a> but his return appears to be bitter sweet.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview, he revealed that although he was “shocked” yet “thrilled” when asked by BBC<\/a> bosses to make a return, it was tinged with sadness.<\/p>\n

Shaun is set to reprise his role as Barry Evans as part of Nigel Bates’ dementia storyline, as viewers will see Nigel remembering moments from his past.<\/p>\n

But Nigel’s condition was a reality for Shaun as his beloved mother has the same condition, and she did in 2022 after suffering a stroke. Shaun is now desperate to raise awareness of dementia.<\/p>\n

\"ShaunShaun Williamson left the BBC soap 21 years ago but is now making a return(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n

He told The Sun: “It felt incredibly personal for me. My mum passed away after getting dementia. We lost her in 2022. That\u2019s why I thought returning was such a great idea, and why the story hit me so deeply. I was shocked to be asked, but genuinely thrilled.”<\/p>\n

He added: “Covid was especially hard on her \u2014 mainly due to the lack of social interaction. We did everything we could as a family to support her, but she then suffered a stroke and we lost her. It was heartbreaking. She was 87. I wanted to raise awareness because in 30 to 40 years\u2019 time it\u2019s predicted that dementia cases will have doubled.”<\/p>\n

At the time of his exit 21 years ago, one of the main questions asked by fans was if he would consider returning to the show, but he said he had always thought it was “impossible”, due to the nature of his exit.<\/p>\n

\"ShaunShaun Williamson played Barry Evans in EastEnders(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n

Janine had Barry cremated in Scotland<\/a> and Pat, played by the iconic Pam St Clement, brought his ashes back to London.<\/p>\n

The scene in which Barry makes a return is when Nigel is sat in an empty Queen Vic but for Nigel, his local pub is packed with familiar faces.<\/p>\n

Shaun said at first he felt nervous stepping on to the legendary set after more than two decades but the moment he walked into the set of the Queen Vic, it was as though no time had passed.<\/p>\n

Since his exit from the popular soap, Barry has kept himself incredibly busy by starring in pantomime every year, along with celebrity quiz shows.<\/p>\n

This includes appearances on The Chase and Celebrity Mastermind, and according to the actor, he takes it very seriously.<\/p>\n

He’d also keen to try his luck on The Masked Singer and I’m A Celebrity<\/a> Get Me Out of Here. Although he used the word “horrendous” to describe his appearance on the show if asked, he insists he would love to take on the challenge.<\/p>\n

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Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n