The EastEnders character Debbie Bates will return to the BBC soap after 30 years this week, as part of its ongoing dementia storyline involving Nigel Bates.
Debbie Bates is played by Nicola Duffett, who will reprise her role in a special episode on Tuesday, across scenes that take Nigel (Paul Bradley) back to the 1990s as his memory falters.
A bridge to the past… Tuesday 23rd December. On BBC iPlayer and BBC One. #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/5wgxHcGFb5
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) December 21, 2025
During the episode, Debbie will slow dance with her husband in the Queen Vic pub as his dementia symptoms intensify, following an emotional evening at his festive film screening.
Duffet's character married Nigel in 1994 and was killed off in a hit-and-run in 1995.
She is among a number of characters who appear to Nigel in the pub as he is transported back in time while he navigates his worsening symptoms.
Also in the episode are Daniel Delaney and Teddy Jay, who will reprise their roles as a young Phil and Grant Mitchell, alongside Barry Evans, who is played by Shaun Williamson.
Barry was killed off more than 20 years ago when his new wife, Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), pushed him from a cliff on 2 January, 2004.
Williamson's character also appears alongside Barry's stepmother, Pat, played by Pam St Clement, who died of cancer in Albert Square on New Year's Day in 2012.
This is the second time Pat has made a return to Albert Square after her death, as she was last seen on screen in May 2016 as a figment of Peggy's (Barbara Windsor) imagination on the night of her death.
The character of Nigel returned to the long-running soap after 26 years on 24 December, 2024, and he has been seen struggling with young-onset dementia.
EastEnders has worked with Dementia UK for the ongoing storyline.
The special episode will air on RTÉ One and BBC One on Tuesday 23 December at 7:30pm.
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