Nigel Bates has returned to EastEnders for the primary time in 26 years within the cleaning soap’s Christmas Eve episode.

The character, performed by Paul Bradley, was seen on the group centre the place Yolande Trueman, performed by Angela Wynter, was volunteering throughout Tuesday’s episode.

Nigel left the BBC cleaning soap in April 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) left Albert Sq. to begin a brand new life in Scotland together with his accomplice Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn) and her son Josh Saunders (Jon Lee).

The BBC mentioned Nigel might be reunited together with his childhood finest pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) on Christmas Day.

Bradley, 69, mentioned: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be again as Nigel.

“Regardless of it being such a very long time in the past, I nonetheless get recognised as Nigel on the street.

“Returning has been nice as I’m so conversant in lots of the faces at EastEnders, and they’re a really pleasant bunch.

“It’s implausible to work with Steve McFadden once more – I’m an enormous admirer of his work, and he units the bar actually excessive. I’m having a very good time.”

Throughout his first run within the present, his character’s largest storylines noticed him fall in love together with his video store worker Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett) earlier than she was killed in a hit-and-run accident, and strike up a friendship with Dot Cotton, who noticed him because the son she by no means had.

At college, Nigel was finest mates with Phil and his brother Grant (Ross Kemp).

EastEnders govt producer Chris Clenshaw mentioned: “It’s implausible to welcome Paul Bradley again as Nigel Bates, a personality a lot liked by long-time EastEnders viewers.

“There’s loads of thriller about Nigel’s scenario and why he’s right here alone, which might be revealed within the coming weeks.

“Phil has by no means wanted help greater than he does this Christmas, so we’re excited to reunite these two previous mates.”