Former EastEnders star Gemma Bissix pours cold water on Clare Bates comeback for Nigel storyline
The star revealed she hasn't been asked to return to the soap.
Former EastEnders star Gemma Bissix has ruled out a return to the BBC soap as the iconic villain Clare Bates.
Rumours have been rife that Clare could make a comeback to the Square after her stepfather Nigel (Paul Bradley) returned to the soap in November and revealed a dementia diagnosis the following month.
Speculation was only fuelled further when the soap appeared to hint at Clare’s return earlier this month, as Nigel was encouraged to reach out to his stepdaughter, who he’s been estranged from for quite some time.
However, speaking to The Sun in a recent interview, Bissix, who recently reprised her role as Clare Devine in Hollyoaks, poured cold water on the idea of a return for her EastEnders character.
Asked whether she was approached about a return to the BBC One soap, she said: “No, they didn’t ask me. I think they did fantastic with their 40th birthday celebrations."
She continued: “They brought so many characters back from the '90s. I think that Paul Bradley is doing fantastically well with his dementia storyline."
She added: “And you know, realistically, had that sort of that had come on the cards, that storyline would have probably been, you know, Claire Bates going and taking his money from a dementia sufferer character, which actually probably isn't something I would want to do either.
By entering your details you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
“Even though it's not real, but people so believe that this stuff is real. I mean, when I was back in the show before, I used to get fan mail from someone from prison that used to say he'd be my accomplice.
“And then there was a vicar that used to write to me monthly telling me I could repent my sins if I was to go and see him, he would exercise the demons and all of this stuff.”
Read more:
- Danny Dyer says EastEnders producer "didn't like the Carters" following soap exit
- 4 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nicola Mitchell faces a reckoning over her murder secret
- EastEnders at 40: Best ever scandals from Pat and Frank to Sharongate
- EastEnders at 40: Best ever whodunnits – From who shot Phil to who killed Archie?
- EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Visit our dedicated Soaps page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
