EastEnders legend returns to soap after 27 years off screens for 'awful surprise' - as star admits 'it's scary how fast the time has gone'
EastEnders legend Karen Henthorn is set to return to the BBC soap after 27 years off screens for an 'awful surprise'.
The actress, 62, played Julie Bates on the show between 1997 and 1998.
Karen did make a voice cameo in Walford again this year, but now she's back for good.
Her alter-ego was last seen in Walford 27 years ago when she moved to Scotland with her husband Nigel (Paul Bradley).
But as viewers will know, Nigel returned to the Square in 2024, and told everyone that they had split... but it was actually he wanted to deal with his dementia by himself.
The cafe worker felt as if he was weighing his wife down.
However she's about to make it clear that she's around to help - by returning to the Square.
Karen said of reprising her role: 'It's very surreal to be back in Albert Square after 27 years and working with the delightful Paul Bradley again - it's scary how fast the time has gone!
'Julie has got some awful surprises ahead of her after the initial relief she feels to discover Nigel is still alive.
'It's been great to film with Paul and Steve (McFadden), who are such lovely actors, as Julie discovers Nigel's dementia diagnosis and why he chose to hide it from her.'
Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'We are delighted to have Karen Henthorn returning to reprise her role as Julie, who arrives looking for Nigel.
'Julie hasn't seen Nigel in almost two years and is unaware of his diagnosis and reasons for leaving, so her arrival will pose questions for the pair of them.'
EastEnders isn't the only role that Karen has held on a soap over the years - she also played Teresa Bryant on Coronation Street between 2007 and 2009.
She's also been in Doctors, Heartbeat and Trollied.
The star also played the school inspector in Young Dracula.
More recently she took on the role of Emily in The Listeners.
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