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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders legend quits Albert Square TONIGHT in heart-wrenching scenes - leaving best friend crushed
An EastEnders legend quits Albert Square during Tuesday's episode of the BBC soap. This evening's instalment (15 July) - which is available to watch on iPlayer now - will see Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) wave goodbye to Walford in heart-wrenching scenes. Right at the end of the instalment the pair are stood outside next to a taxi ahead of their journey home. Julie tells Nigel: 'I think we should just go. 'Sometimes it's easier on everyone to just slip out. I think Phil might prefer it that way.' As he tries to walk away, she says: 'You've got me!' This evening's instalment (15 July) will see Nigel and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) wave goodbye to Walford in heart-wrenching scenes (pictured) Nigel steps into the car and Julie tells him: 'Just focus on me.' Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) is seen watching them from afar and smiles at the pair. Julie gives her eye contact and steps into the taxi. As Nigel looks out of the window of the vehicle, Linda smiles back at him. 'Let's get going, we don't want to miss that train, do we?' Linda tells Nigel as she puts her seat belt on. The taxi drives away from the Square and Phil is captured sitting in his kitchen looking at an old picture of Nigel. Some have taken to X to share their heartbreak already. One said: 'I am so sad Nigel is gone. Loved the storyline and now poor Phil is alone again, hope they bring him back soon.' 'Oh no Nigel! I didn't think he was really leaving. I had hoped Julie would decide to move in to help Phil with him.' 'Goodbye, Nigel.' 'phil and linda in todays ep… i'm grateful they didn't kill nigel off the show he's been such a pleasure to watch these past few weeks.' Just last month Karen's return to the BBC soap was confirmed. The actress, 62, previously played Julie Bates on the show between 1997 and 1998. Her alter-ego was last seen in Walford 27 years ago when she moved to Scotland with her husband Nigel. 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 returned to the Square to tell him that she's sticking around. 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. The actress currently teaches students at the Italia Conti Academy. Meanwhile Paul appeared on EastEnders between 1992 and 1998, followed by another stint in 2024. He has also landed roles in various other TV shows such as Holby City, My Family, Doctors, The Bill and Beyond Paradise. Announcing the news that he would be back on the Square, Paul said: He said: 'I'm thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street. 'Returning has been great as I'm so familiar with many of the faces at EastEnders, and they are a very friendly bunch. 'It's fantastic to work with Steve McFadden again - I'm a huge admirer of his work, and he sets the bar really high. I'm having a really good time.' EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Casualty star joins EastEnders for major new storyline – and it's bad news for the Mitchells
EASTENDERS has signed up a former Casualty star for a shocking new role - and he's going to be around for a while. The BBC soap has cast Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu as new character Okie. 2 2 The gangster made his debut earlier this week as he confronted Ravi Gulati and Harry Mitchel about the drug deal gone wrong. But after crashing Ravi's daughter's birthday party, and insulting Ravi, he ended up getting a kicking and being left with the rubbish outside of the club. Now The Sun can reveal that Okie - full name Tobias Okyere - will be back as a resident fixture in Walford. A source said: 'Okie is going to cause chaos in Walford. 'He'll really set the cat amongst the pigeons and become quite the thorn in the side for Harry and the other Mitchells. 'He's going to become a familiar face over the next few months so he's definitely one to watch out for.' The new arrival comes as EastEnders is saying goodbye to a string of characters. Last week the remaining members of the Taylor family left the Square as Bernie and Felix fled to Spain for a new life with the Panesar family money. Actors Clare Norris and Matthew James Morrison left the show after new boss Ben Wadey made sweeping changes. And in the coming months both Bobby Brazier and Molly Rainford are set to leave. The Sun revealed both Bobby had mutually decided to leave the show as Freddie Slater after three years. And Molly was keen to explore her options after deciding to leave during a meeting with show bosses.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Legendary EastEnders star confirms epic return to Walford 19 years on from soap debut - promising 'unresolved drama and plenty of chaos'
EastEnders favourite Jake Wood has confirmed that he will be reprising his role as Max Branning. The British actor, 52, who last appeared on screen in February 2021, said he is 'over the moon to be coming home to Walford'. He said: 'I'm over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I'm sure he'll be busy. 'I'm excited to see what he's been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the Square are anything to go by, I'm sure there will be plenty of chaos.' Max is reportedly set to return to the BBC soap in autumn, before making a permanent return later in the year. During his first stint on the soap, Jake became a fan favourite amongst viewers, with his character Max being at the heart of several huge storylines. The 2007 Christmas Day episode where it was revealed that Max had an affair with his daughter-in-law Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has become known as one of the most chaotic festive specials ever. According to The Mirror, Max will return to Albert Square to find his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), who is expected to marry into the Beales, Stacey, who is widowed, and a secret daughter with ex-lover Linda, yet to be discovered. Speaking on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, Jake said his return to the show was 'quite emotional' and felt 'like a very warm hug'. He said: 'I just felt like it was the right time. I spoke to so many people there, they're just loving being there at the moment, 'I had a meeting with the new executive, Ben Wadey, back in January, and we went for lunch, and he just sort of outlined all of his ideas. He continued: 'There's just so many characters that Max has got drama with, so it felt like the right time to go back and mix things up a bit.' Jake went on to say that his character's return will be a dramatic one before adding that it also won't be 'friendly and warm'. EastEnders executive producer Ben said: 'I'm delighted to welcome the immensely talented Jake Wood back to the role of Max Branning. 'Whilst his character has only been away from Albert Square for four years, Walford, and the lives of those who live in it, have changed immensely. 'Max has a lot of unfinished business, but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen. 'However, with a past as chequered as Max's, it's fair to say that many Walford residents will not be pleased to see him, putting the Brannings back at the heart of the square, and the drama, this year.' Jake left EastEnders on February 19, 2021, bringing an end to a long 15-year run on the show. His character Max left Albert Square after burning bridges with many of his family and friends, and he joined his daughter Lauren and grandson Louie in New Zealand. However, since Jake's final scenes aired in early 2021, he has certainly been keeping himself busy as he launched a podcast and starred in West End show 2:22: A Ghost Story. EastEnders airs on BBC One from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm.
