Clare Bates returns to Walford as Gemma Bissix rejoins Nigel’s dementia storyline
Gemma Bissix is reprising the role of clare bates for a short stint this spring, returning to Walford after almost 18 years away to join Nigel Bates’ dementia storyline. Her comeback matters now because it reunites an estranged stepdaughter with Nigel as his loved ones face choices about the next stage of his dementia care.
Gemma Bissix’s history with the role and recent work
Bissix last appeared on EastEnders in 2008 and had been away from Walford for almost 18 years before this return. She has spent time in recent months reprising another iconic soap role as Clare Devine in Hollyoaks; one report noted her comeback comes a few months after her most recent appearance in that show, while other coverage described her spending much of the past year in the other role. The current stint in Walford is billed as short, and it comes ahead of another planned return to the other soap.
Nigel Bates’ deterioration prompted the visit
Word of stepdad Nigel’s worsening dementia is what draws Clare back to the Square. Nigel, played by Paul Bradley, returned to the series just over a year ago after two decades off our screens and has since been diagnosed with dementia. On arrival, Clare is shocked by Nigel’s fragility and by the reality of his prognosis; she is taken aback by how badly he has deteriorated.
Past ties and recent reunions in Walford
Nigel’s return to Walford saw him reconnect with best mates Phil and Grant Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp, and his subsequent diagnosis prompted the return of his wife Julie Bates, played by Karen Henthorn. Nigel has referenced his estranged daughter numerous times and, as his condition has progressed, has mistaken several familiar faces in the Square for her, which underlines why Clare’s arrival has been so widely anticipated.
Family tensions, care decisions and expert input
Clare is estranged from her stepfather and arrives to find emotions at an all-time high; old wounds with Nigel’s wife Julie need mending and drama is expected. It soon becomes apparent that Clare’s return is essential, because Nigel’s loved ones collectively decide what is best for him as they enter the next stage of his dementia care. The production has worked with Dementia UK and with experts in the field to make sure Nigel’s storyline is portrayed sensitively and accurately.
What Gemma Bissix, Ben Wadey and others have said
On reprising the role, Gemma Bissix said it was a real pleasure to be asked back and that she had hoped to get the call, believing fans wanted the relationship revisited. She described Nigel and Clare as a formidable pairing in the 1990s with a unique stepfather/stepdaughter bond, said it was great to reconnect with Paul and Karen after all these years, and called the reunion a full circle moment, noting she grew up on the set and essentially learned her craft there. Bissix added she hoped viewers would be pleased to see Clare and Nigel on screen together again.
Executive producer Ben Wadey said they always knew they wanted to bring Clare Bates back and were delighted Bissix agreed; he described the stepfather and daughter duo as sharing a complicated history, having been estranged for many years, and said it was essential to revisit that relationship as Nigel’s dementia progresses and the family start to consider his additional care needs. Bissix has also indicated the door remains open for another return to her other soap, and producer Hannah Cheers has promised never to kill the character off; Bissix was recently tipped to come back to that soap soon.
Scheduling note and technical preview details
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