Who is Debbie Bates in EastEnders and what happened to her?
Actress Nicola Duffett has returned to the BBC soap after 30 years.
EastEnders has served up a special, standalone episode following Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) worsening young-onset dementia in the days before Christmas.
The edition, which is understandably tragic and highly emotional given the nature of the storyline, has seen the return of several iconic characters who have long since passed.
From Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) to her step-son Barry (Shaun Williamson), and the highly-acclaimed younger incarnations of Phil and Grant Mitchell (Daniel Delaney and Teddy Jay), it has been a real nostalgia fest for viewers.
There was another familiar face that appeared in Nigel's visions too - Debbie Bates (Nicola Duffett), who was last seen in 1995.
Who is Debbie Bates in EastEnders?
Debbie - first credited under the surname Tyler - was a regular Albert Square resident for two years from 1993.
She was introduced as a mate of everyone's favourite barmaid Tracey (Jane Slaughter), and had moved to the area with daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) to escape her abusive husband Liam (Francis Magee).
Debbie soon met Nigel, and Liam attempted to make their life hell. He even attempted to ruin their wedding day, but was kidnapped by Phil and Grant (Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp), who held him in The Arches until after the ceremony.
How did Debbie leave EastEnders?
Nigel adopted Clare, and his married life with Debbie was going pretty well until she was killed in a hit and run. He then faced a custody battle against Liam when he tried to take Clare back.
Some years later, Nigel met teacher Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn), and the blended family moved to Scotland.
When Clare returned to Walford in 2008, she paid tribute to her mother and visited her grave with Dot Branning (June Brown).
Earlier this year, Nigel envisioned younger versions of both Debbie and Clare, who were portrayed by uncredited actresses, in a special VE Day episode.
Read more:
- EastEnders confirms no early BBC iPlayer release for key Christmas episodes
- EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release
- EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode
- EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings
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Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
