EastEnders enthusiasts were completely taken aback by an unexpected voice cameo from Julie Bates, as played by Karen Henthorn, heard on the BBC show for the first time in almost 30 years this past Monday (January 6).
The sudden voiceover occurred after Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) turned up out of the blue on Christmas Eve reuniting with his old buddy Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and revealing that he and his wife Julie had parted ways.
However, it emerged that Nigel hadn’t been entirely truthful; he was receiving text messages from Julie filled with fervent requests for his return. During recent episodes, Nigel has exhibited suspicious behaviour, consistently avoiding Julie’s calls and is hesitant to communicate with her, without giving away his reasons.
Nigel and Julie Bates were once a happy couple but he has been avoiding her in recent EastEnders scenes
(Image: BBC)
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The enigma deepened on Monday (January 6) when a call from Nigel’s phone cut short his chat with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). Soon after, an emotional Nigel listened to a voicemail from Julie.
In her plea, voiced by Karen Henthorn once again, Julie implored: “Nigel, it’s Julie again. I don’t know if you got my last message or…”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
She added: “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 Haye made her first appearance in Walford in September 1997 and she’s the mother of Josh Saunders, whom S Club 7 star Jon Lee portrayed.
She initially crossed paths with the residents of Walford as Clare Bates’ (Gemma Bissix) teacher, Nigel’s step-daughter, and the two eventually struck up a friendship.
EastEnders fans think Julie Bates will return to Walford in search of Nigel
(Image: BBC)
Julie and Nigel’s romance flourished, and in April 1998, they upped sticks to Scotland to start afresh as a family. Fast forward, and now Nigel has popped back to Walford, keeping schtum about the state of his marriage.
Karen Henthorn, aged 62, who originally brought Julie Bates to life on the square, made a surprise return this Monday. Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Karen boasts an impressive list of acting credits with some standout roles under her belt.
Soap fans will also recognise her as Teresa Bryant from Coronation Street, where she featured from 2007 to 2010.
Before her stint on the cobbles, Karen was seen in The Booze Cruise portraying Cath Bolton, and has graced our screens in Doctors, Heartbeat, Shameless, among others. In 2013, she took to the stage in the National Theatre’s production of ‘War Horse’.
Actress Karen Henthorn played Julie Bates in EastEnders
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Now, there’s buzz amongst EastEnders fans that Julie might be heading for a dramatic return to Albert Square just in time for the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
On social media platform X, one viewer speculated: “Julie Bates. I wonder if she’ll return to Albert Square before the 40th Anniversary week? #EastEnders.”
Another hinted: “Think that was Julie’s voice. She must be coming back too #EastEnders”, while another questioned: “Why is Nigel lying?”
One fan connected the dots: “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.”
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer