Actress Gemma Bissix is set to return to the BBC soap for a short stint this spring, reprising her role as Clare Bates.
Bissix’s return will be a “emotional reunion” storyline centred around her on-screen stepfather, Nigel Bates.
Her return marks another chapter in the soap’s ongoing dementia storyline, which sees long-standing character Nigel (played by Paul Bradley) grappling with young-onset dementia.
EastEnders star to return BBC soap
Bissix, 42, first joined EastEnders as Clare in 1993 and briefly returned in 2008 after nearly a decade away from the show.
The latest return sees Clare coming back to Walford after learning about Nigel’s deteriorating condition.
Discussing her return, Bissix said, “It was a real pleasure to be asked to reprise the role of Clare for Nigel’s storyline.
“I was hoping to get the call, as I think the fans wanted EastEnders to revisit their relationship.
“Nigel and Clare were a formidable pairing in the ’90s with a very unique stepfather/stepdaughter relationship.
“It has been so great to reconnect with Paul (Bradley) and Karen (Henthorn) after all these years, and it’s crazy how time felt like it had stopped when we did.
“I grew up on the set of EastEnders and essentially learned my craft there, so it’s been a real full-circle moment.
“Whilst it will be an emotional reunion, I hope the viewers will be pleased to see Clare and Nigel on screen together once again.”
In recent episodes, viewers saw Nigel’s carers—his wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)—decide to place him in a residential home after he was found underwater and unconscious in a bath.
Clare’s return is said to be “essential” in helping Nigel’s loved ones decide the best course of action for his care.
EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey said: “We always knew we wanted to bring Clare Bates back to Walford as we continue Nigel’s storyline, and I’m delighted that Gemma said yes.
“The stepfather and daughter duo share a complicated history and have been estranged for many years, but it was essential for us to revisit this relationship as Nigel’s dementia progresses and the family start to consider his additional care needs.”
Bissix’s character Clare was first introduced as the daughter of Debbie Bates (Nicola Duffett).
Now Max AND Cindy hold Jasmine’s fate in their hands – what will they do? #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/4ALvwZ61Dw
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Nigel and Debbie married in 1994, but tragedy struck a year later when Debbie was killed in a hit-and-run accident, leaving Nigel with full custody of young Clare.
In 1998, Nigel began a relationship with Julie, and the family left Walford together to start a new life in Scotland.
Bradley’s character returned to the soap after 26 years on December 24, 2024, and has since been at the centre of the ongoing dementia storyline.
EastEnders has been working closely with Dementia UK to ensure the storyline is portrayed with sensitivity and accuracy.
The storyline has included appearances from characters such as Debbie Bates, Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) in the form of Nigel’s hallucinations.
EastEnders is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
