
Okay, so as a big EastEnders fan, I’m getting super excited! It looks like Shaun Williamson – Barry Evans himself! – has basically let slip that another well-known face is coming back for a one-off special episode later this month. It’s not official yet, but he’s pretty much confirmed it, and that’s good enough for me!
I’m so excited! Barry Evans is coming back to Walford, and even better, we’ll get to see him with the legendary Pat Evans, played by the amazing Pam St Clement. It’s going to be incredible to see those two together again!
Two familiar faces will return as ghosts to help Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who is coping with early-onset dementia.
Nige is going through a lot of emotions after showing his holiday film. As his memory and thinking skills decline, he’s been withdrawing to The Vic pub, convinced he’s back in the mid-1990s.

Photos from the new episode reveal the set designers paid close attention to detail, perfectly recreating the retro style with vibrant fabrics, poinsettias, and festive tinsel.
During a recent interview with The Sun, actor Oliver Williamson unintentionally revealed that Nicola Duffett, who previously played Debbie – Nigel’s first wife – will be making a comeback to the show.
He describes the scene as an empty pub, but Nigel imagines it filled with his friends, complete with a lively karaoke session.
The writing is lovely. It featured just three people: Nigel, Pat, and Pat’s former wife, Debbie, who was portrayed by Nicola Duffett.
“It was just great to be back working with these fabulous actors again.”
Debbie was a frequent character on Albert Square from 1993 to 1995. Her character was killed in a hit-and-run accident, and afterwards, Nigel adopted her daughter, Clare (played by Gemma Bissix).

Over the past year, he has repeatedly mistaken his current wife, Julie, for the woman in his memories, and even seemed to see her apparition during a televised VE Day commemoration near the war memorial.
When I heard I was going back to EastEnders, it was a real surprise – but a really exciting one! I was definitely nervous walking onto the Queen Vic set again, but it was fantastic to be back working with everyone. It was a brilliant episode to be a part of.
“Just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner!”
St Clement shared that he was surprised and thrilled to return to Walford and participate in Nigel’s moving storyline about dementia.
It felt wonderful to reconnect with my long-time colleagues. It was a truly welcoming and comfortable experience, like returning home.
EastEnders continues to work with Dementia UK on the storyline.
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2025-12-01 14:34