EastEnders fans were left in shock on Monday night when a former character's wife made a surprise cameo - but will she be making a comeback?
EastEnders fans were left gobsmacked by a shock cameo as the voice of Julie Bates, portrayed by Karen Henthorn, was aired on the BBC soap for the first time in nearly three decades this Monday (January 6).
After Nigel Bates, played by soap legend Paul Bradley, rocked up on Christmas Eve and reunited with long-time pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), he explained that he had split from his wife Julie.
But it turned out, Nigel was lying as he got text messages from Julie full of desperate pleas for him to come back home.
During the latest EastEnders bombshell, viewers noticed Nigel acting shifty again, not wanting to speak to Julie as she tried to contact him.
Nigel also found himself accused of freeloading off Phil for money by Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). However, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) sorted him out with a job at her café, proving his true intentions, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Billy was soon eating his words when Nigel, rather chuffed with how things turned out, mentioned his old times staying with Dot Cotton (June Brown). Just as they were patching things up, Nigel received an alarming voice message which he listened to after Billy left.
And like that, the dulcet tones of Julie (thanks to actress Karen's return) filled the room, leaving Nigel getting all choked up.
Her heartfelt plea went: "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."
Julie hadn't been spotted around the Square since she hightailed it to Scotland for new adventures with Nigel and their kids back in '98.
Eagle-eyed EastEnders fans are buzzing with speculation that Julie might be making an unexpected comeback to Albert Square for the soap's 40th anniversary celebrations.
On X, one super fan speculated: "Julie Bates. I wonder if she'll return to Albert Square before the 40th Anniversary week? #EastEnders."
Another was quick to comment: "Think that was Julie's voice. She must be coming back too #EastEnders", while yet another added their two cents: "Why is Nigel lying?"
One viewer spotted a familiar face, tweeting: "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
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