EastEnders fans were left gobsmacked by a shock cameo as the voice of Julie Bates, portrayed by Karen Henthorn, was heard on the BBC soap for the first time in nearly three decades this Monday (January 6).
The audio appearance came after Nigel Bates, played by soap legend Paul Bradley, rocked up on Christmas Eve and reunited with long-time pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and explained that he had split from his wife Julie.
But it turned out Nigel was lying as he got text messages from Julie full of desperate pleas for him to come back home. In recent scenes, Nigel has been acting shifty as he dodges Julie’s calls and refuses to speak to her, but hasn’t yet explained why.
The mystery continued on Monday (January 6) when Nigel’s phone rang and interrupted his conversation with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). Moments later, Nigel played the voice message as he was overwhelmed with emotion.
Will Julie Bates return to Walford in search of Nigel? -Credit:BBC
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Julie, played once more by actress Karen, begged: “Nigel, it’s Julie again. I don’t know if you got my last message or…
“Listen, Nigel, I promise I’m not cross, whatever reason you walked out and disappeared, I just really need to know if you’re alright mate.”
Julie Haye first arrived in Walford in September 1997 and is the mum of Josh Saunders, played by S Club 7 star Jon Lee.
She was the teacher of Nigel’s step-daughter Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix) and the pair eventually became friends.
Their relationship blossomed and in April 1996, Julie and Nigel moved to Scotland to begin their new life together as a family. But not Nigel has returned to Walford and is remaining tight lipped about his marriage.
Actress Karen Henthorn played Julie Bates in EastEnders -Credit:Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Karen Henthorn, 62, originally played the role of Julie Bates before returning for her cameo on Monday. The actress was born in Oldham, Lancashire and has had some huge roles during her long career.
But soap fans will also know the actress as Teresa Bryant in Coronation Street between 2007 and 2010.
Before Corrie, she had a role in The Booze Cruise where she played Cath Bolton, as well as starring in Doctors, Heartbeat and Shameless – plus many more. In 2013, she starred in the National Theatre’s War Horse.
Now, EastEnders fans think Julie is about to make a surprise visit to Walford in time for the soap’s 40th anniversary.
Nigel and Julie Bates were once a happy couple but he has been avoiding her in recent EastEnders scenes -Credit:BBC
Taking to X, one person wrote: “Julie Bates. I wonder if she’ll return to Albert Square before the 40th Anniversary week? #EastEnders.”
A second added: “Think that was Julie’s voice. She must be coming back too #EastEnders”, while a third chimed in: “Why is Nigel lying?”
“When Nigel’s wife Julie appears on screen and a whole generation of viewers realise it’s Teresa Bryant aka the long lost Morton mum off Corrie #EastEnders,” added another.
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer