EastEnders appeared to confirm another past character could reappear onscreen following Nigel Bates’ own return to the BBC soap, with the former appearing in the credits on Monday

The latest episode of EastEnders dropped two major clues we were about to see another past character return to Walford.

Following the return of Nigel Bates and the confirmed looming comeback of Grant Mitchell, a third return was sealed on Monday night. After we heard the character in question via a voicemail message, they also appeared in the credits of the latest episode.

It confirmed a former cast member has reprised their role for the scene, no doubt teasing an onscreen comeback as also on the cards. Nigel returned over Christmas and it was clear he was hiding something.

Amid fears for his health after some concerning behaviour, he claimed to pal Phil Mitchell that things had turned sour with his wife Julie Bates, formerly Julie Haye. He said she had kicked him out, and on Monday he told Billy Mitchell that Julie had had enough.

But at the end of the episode it emerged he was lying and was hiding something. After constant messages and attempts for contact by his wife, she left him a voicemail message in the latest episode.

We heard Julie’s voice, and the message was voiced by original Julie actress Karen Hentorn who reprised her role for the scenes. She appeared as Julie in the credits for Monday night’s episode too.

Julie Bates, formerly Julie Haye (left), appeared in the 90s (Image: BBC)

But could she be about to make an onscreen return for Nigel’s storyline? In the message it was clear Nigel had walked out, and she was desperate to find him. Might she head to Walford to try and locate him?

Julie, who last appeared in the 90s and left in 1998 with Nigel, was heard saying: “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. I miss you. I love you, Nigel.” It comes amid fans speculating the truth about his return, believing he might be unwell.

Nigel had said he was back in Walford “for the memories”, before getting a few things mixed up. He called Phil the name of his brother Grant Mitchell, before calling the pub a different name that it used to have decades earlier.

The confusion and his sudden return led to some viewers fearing he may be diagnosed with dementia. One viewer said: “A heartbreaking look into what might happen with Nigel in 2025.” as another said: “Calling it now, Nigel has dementia. Calling Phil Grant tonight and then his first episode back, he said he returned for the memories.”

A third fan posted: “It was only a little thing in tonight’s ep… but where Nigel called Phil Grant… could we be seeing the beginnings of an early onset dementia storyline for Nigel? And Phil could be his carer?”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.