“EastEnders viewers are hoping for Debbie Bates to appear in Walford through flashbacks as Nigel’s dementia storyline prompts him to reflect on the past.”
BBC soap EastEnders fans are hoping for the return of Debbie Bates, three decades after her tragic death.
In the 1990s, Debbie, played by Nicola Duffett, was the devoted wife of Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley). Together, they raised their daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), forming a close-knit family.
Tragically, after just two years in Walford, Debbie died in 1995 when she was hit by a car, leaving Nigel devastated.
Later, Nigel found love again with Clare’s teacher, Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn). The couple married and moved to Scotland in 1998 for a fresh start.
During Christmas 2024, Nigel made a dramatic return to Walford and revealed he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, according to OK!.
Next month, EastEnders will air a special episode exploring Nigel’s past as his condition worsens.
In emotional upcoming scenes, Nigel’s memory and altered perception will take him back to 1990, where he will cross paths with Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson). Fans are hopeful they might also catch a glimpse of his late wife, Debbie.
On social media, one EastEnders viewer commented: “Nigel’s first wife Debbie needs to return for the Christmas special,” while another wrote: “Debbie and Clare should come back, brought in for Nigel’s storyline #EastEnders @bbceastenders.”
A third fan added: “Did Pat and Nigel interact much? Pam is still around to return, so why not Debbie and Clare? #EastEnders @bbceastenders.”
Nicola Duffett rose to fame in 1992 with a supporting role in the Oscar-winning film Howards End, before playing Debbie Bates in EastEnders from 1993 to 1995.
Following her two-year stint on the soap, Nicola, now 62, took on the role of Cat Matthews in Family Affairs, which she played from 1998 to 2005. The part brought her a significant income, allowing her to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.
Her life of luxury included three holidays a year, fine dining, and shopping at Harrods — until it all ended when Family Affairs was cancelled by Channel 5 in 2005 due to low ratings, with the final episode airing in December.
In a 2009 interview with The Croydon Advertiser, Nicola admitted she regretted not saving money, saying: “I wish I had learned to save, but we actors and actresses just aren’t very business-minded.” She also spoke about struggling after the cancellation, adding: “I just went into a bad place when they axed Family Affairs.”
Nicola reflected on her shift from TV star to visiting the Job Centre, saying, “I went from not worrying about how much things cost to checking the price of absolutely everything.”
Despite the change, she developed a new enjoyment for bargain hunting, adding, “But I love it — finding a bargain is so much more satisfying than going out every night to fancy restaurants and just paying the bill.”
Nicola was declared bankrupt in 2007. Fortunately, her acting career bounced back, with roles including Reet Ellison in Endeavour (2020), Amy Penketh in The Coroner (2016), Daisy Skelton in Waterloo Road (2013), and Eileen in Made in Dagenham.
She also appeared as Lucie Fernsby on Coronation Street in 2020 for four episodes and more recently played Bernice in Murder, They Hope and Geraldine in the 2022 Amazon Prime series Agatha Raisin.
Could Nicola make a return to Walford as Debbie Bates for one last farewell?
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