Paul Bradley is set to stage a huge return to EastEnders next year as 90s favourite Nigel Bates.
The character appeared between 1992 and 1998, though hasn’t been seen since.
An old school friend of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), Nigel arrived in Albert Square and lodged with Dot Cotton (June Brown) – striking up an unlikely friendship.
Before long, a love interest was introduced for him and he fell head over heels for Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett), later adopting her daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix).
Both Paul and Gemma would later find themselves in other soap roles, as he starred as Elliot Hope in Holby City and Casualty for twelve years, whilst Gemma assumed the role of Clare Devine in Hollyoaks in 2006.
She returned to EastEnders during a break from the Channel 4 soap in 2008, though without Nigel. He kept in contact with Dot from his new home in Scotland, and she visited him off-screen a year later when he suffered a heart attack.
This weekend it was reported that he will stage a grand return to coincide with the upcoming 40th Anniversary celebrations.
The event will be marked by yet another live edition, which will hand the viewers the power to decide the outcome of a romance storyline.
According to The Sun, The Queen Vic will once again be a blazing inferno, mirroring scenes from fourteen years ago.
‘Bosses are keeping tight-lipped on their plans for the anniversary, so as to not spoil anything for viewers,’ a source told the publication.
‘But in scenes just filmed they have shot a huge explosion that tears The Vic apart.
‘The pub is always central to the drama but this time they are taking it even further with lives expected to be left hanging in the balance.
‘The 40th is such an iconic moment in the show’s history, and bosses want to make sure it’s one that viewers are going to remember.’
Just how Nigel returns to the BBC soap remains to be seen, though it could tie in with the fact his old bestie Grant is tipped for a comeback.
At the end of November, new pictures emerged of Ross Kemp leaving the soap’s production base in Elstree, Hertfordshire.
Departing executive producer Chris Clenshaw admitted he’s the one character he would love to reintroduce, whilst it has also been reported that Ross will front a documentary series about the show’s four decades on air.
We also know that as the residents of Walford celebrate the festive season, his brother Phil will suffer suicidal thoughts amid his loneliness.
Could both Grant and Nigel be returning home to save Phil?
