Actress Gemma Bissix is set to return to the BBC soap for a short stint this spring, reprising her role as Clare Bates. Bissix's return will be a “emotional reunion” storyline centred around her on-screen stepfather, Nigel Bates. (Image: BBC)EastEnders star to return BBC soapBissix, 42, first joined EastEnders as Clare in 1993 and briefly returned in 2008 after nearly a decade away from the show. Discussing her return, Bissix said, "It was a real pleasure to be asked to reprise the role of Clare for Nigel’s storyline. Bradley’s character returned to the soap after 26 years on December 24, 2024, and has since been at the centre of the ongoing dementia storyline.

Source: The Times February 22, 2026 03:05 UTC