![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/560776-e093.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie Bates has confirmed that she\u2019s leaving Walford (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tJulie Bates has confirmed that she\u2019s leaving Walford (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
EastEnders<\/a>\u00a0spoilers follow for Wednesday\u2019s (May 20) episode, which can now be streamed on\u00a0BBC<\/a>\u00a0iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an update that I hoped I\u2019d never have to write \u2013 and news that EastEnders fans prayed wouldn\u2019t come to pass \u2013 but sadly Julie Bates<\/a> (Karen Henthorn<\/a>) has confirmed she\u2019s leaving the Square after husband Nigel Bates\u2019 (Paul Bradley<\/a>) funeral.<\/p>\n No, you\u2019re crying. <\/p>\n Julie, as viewers know, returned to Walford after three decades<\/a> away in the wake of Nigel<\/a>, who reconnected with old mate Phil Mitchell<\/a> (Steve McFadden<\/a>), revealing that he\u2019d been diagnosed with dementia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nigel initially kept Julie in the dark about his diagnosis, believing he was protecting her from what he was going through, but she subsequently arrived in Walford and proved the rock Phil needed amid his vow to be by Nige\u2019s side until the very end.<\/p>\n Bringing her back not only benefited the storyline but also the BBC One soap in general, with Julie slotting seamlessly into the current show landscape, elevating every scene she\u2019s in \u2013 largely due to powerhouse Karen Henthorn\u2019s performances \u2013 and becoming one of the best characters not only the Square but soap in general has to offer.<\/p>\n Her unexpected friendship with Phil provided for some of the best scenes in recent EastEnders memory, with stars Karen and Steve doing superb work alongside Nigel star Paul in what proved to be a devastatingly authentic portrayal of dementia, showcasing what soap is capable of as a genre.<\/p>\n \t\t In emotional scenes last month, Nigel passed away in a care home<\/a> with Julie and Phil \u2013 the two people who meant the most to him in the whole world \u2013 by his side. <\/p>\n Wednesday\u2019s (May 20) edition of the BBC One soap saw the day of his funeral arrive and the day proved upsetting for Julie, who struggled to find the right words <\/a>to pay tribute to her beloved sweetheart.<\/p>\n Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix<\/a>), who had returned once more for the service<\/a>, had an idea, recalling an old poem Nigel helped her with as part of an English assignment from when she was a child. In the poem, Nigel imagined himself as an older person looking back on his life.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t The idea proved to be the perfect solution, with Julie tearfully reading it aloud at the beautiful service, providing the mourners with some catharsis as Nige\u2019s nearest and dearest paid tribute to the \u2018unforgettable\u2019 titan of the Square by wearing some of his signature colourful ties.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t Phil and Grant, meanwhile, got up to say a few words, honouring the legacy of their kind, dear friend. Phil broke down as he recalled how Nigel saved his life amid his mental health battle before sharing a moment at the coffin with the \u2018best mate\u2019 he ever had.<\/p>\n \t\t After the service, Julie and Phil spent some time outside with the chickens. Julie revealed that she would be leaving the Square to return to Scotland as it\u2019s where the happiest memories of her time with Nigel are.<\/p>\n If she follows through and departs, she\u2019ll leave not only a huge hole in the landscape of EastEnders but perhaps an even greater one in our hearts.<\/p>\n EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on\u00a0BBC<\/a>\u00a0One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/557228-f76a.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie was by husband Nigel\u2019s side right until the very end (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/553040-4cdc.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie and Phil were bonded by grief \u2013 and their unexpected friendship proved to be one of soap\u2019s most memorable (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/557236-d663.jpg\")
\n\t\tShe has become a true staple of the Walford community in a short space of time (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779270972_585_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tNow you can ensure you never miss a story from the Soaps team<\/p>\n![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779270973_451_560773-c6f7.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie paid tribute to her beloved sweetheart Nigel, with some help from Clare, Phil and Grant (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
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\nMORE: EastEnders finally reveals who mystery gang boss is as casting is confirmed<\/a><\/p>\n