EASTENDERS LEGEND MAKES SHOCKING RETURN TO ALBERT SQUARE FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE - BUT FANS ARE LIVID

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An EastEnders legend made a surprise return from beyond the grave - but not all viewers were happy.

Although the character died years ago, they made a comeback to screens in a poignant storyline.

Lexi Pearce-Brown (Isabella Brown) empathised with returnee Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix), whose stepdad Nigel (Paul Bradley) is battling dementia.

And in Wednesday's episode, Lexi's late mum Lola made a brief return to screens via a video on the young girl's phone.

Lola said in the clip: 'So be kind. Just be yourself because you are kind and funny and beautiful…'

It is believed to have been filmed in 2023, when Lola's actress Danielle Harold was still on the BBC soap.

Addressing Clare, Lexi herself remarked: 'I hate hospitals. Mum was here so much but I got a chance to say goodbye to her, not like you. That’s really sad.'

The discussion revealed both Clare and Lexi had been ten years old when their mothers died.

Clare recounted: 'He took me to the park, told me what had happened and he promised that he would always be there for me.

'We had this big hug and looking back on it that was probably the last time I really felt safe.'

The heart-to-heart inspired Clare to go back into the hospital and be with Nigel - while she still has the chance.

However, the episode ended with both Clare and Nigel nowhere to be found, just as the latter prepared to move to a care home.

And despite the emotional tie-in, some viewers were unhappy with the inclusion of Lola's video.

One wrote: 'Oh my Christ the Lola videos are back, repeat the Lola videos are back #eastenders.'

Another added: 'I seriously thought we were done with these Lola videos and now they’ve come back to haunt us again #eastenders.'

A third chimed in: 'As if this era hasn’t been abysmal enough, here comes another Lola video. I’d throw Lexi’s phone straight into the Thames.' 

Meanwhile, Gemma, 42, first joined EastEnders in 1993 at the age of just nine as Clare Bates [Tyler], the daughter of Debbie Tyler and stepdaughter of Nigel Bates.

She starred as a regular on the soap from 1993 until 1998 when she left Albert Square, before making a brief return in 2008.

Despite being estranged from Nigel, Clare returns to Walford when news of his worsening dementia reaches her - but is shocked when she arrives and is confronted by his fragility and the reality of his prognosis.

On reprising the role, Gemma 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 90's with a very unique stepfather/stepdaughter relationship!

'It has been so great to reconnect with Paul and Karen after all these years, and it's crazy how time felt like it had stopped when we did!'

She added: 'I grew up on the set of EastEnders and essentially learnt 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!'

Clare's arrival will reportedly be a dramatic one, but her return will be essential as Nigel's loved ones collectively decide what is best for him n the next stage of his dementia care.

EastEnders has been working with Dementia UK and experts in the field on Nigel's storyline to ensure it has been portrayed as sensitively and as accurately as possible.

Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer added: '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.'

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer. 

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2026-03-05T14:13:51Z