EastEnders aired a surprise cameo for Julie Bates, played by Karen Henthorn, on Monday (January 6) as the character was heard on-screen for the first time in 27 years.
Walford icon Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) returned on Christmas Eve and confirmed to his pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) that he and Julie had separated.
But it soon transpired that Nigel was lying when he received a text message for his wife begging him to return home.
During the latest trip to Albert Square, the mystery surrounding Nigel’s past deepened when he refused to speak to Julie once more.
After Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) accused Nigel of ‘using Phil for money’ he quickly bagged himself a job at the café thanks to old friend Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth).
Nigel returned to Walford at Christmas but the reason for his comeback is yet to be revealed in EastEnders -Credit:BBC
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Billy was reassured that Nigel was being genuine after he casually confirmed he once lived with Dot Cotton (June Brown) and the pair made friends.
But their conversation was interrupted when Nigel’s phone made a sound, and when Billy left the table, Nigel played his voice message.
Viewers heard Julie’s voice, played once more by actress Karen, as Nigel became overwhelmed with emotion.
Nigel won Billy over with talk about Dot Cotton in EastEnders -Credit:BBC
She 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 was last seen in the Square in 1998 before she left for a new life in Scotland with Nigel and their respective children.
Now, EastEnders fans think Julie is about to make a surprise visit to Walford in time for the soap’s 40th anniversary.
Will Julie Bates return to Walford in search of Nigel? -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