EastEnders star teases surprises in Nigel Bates’ ‘moving’ final episode as icon dies
As EastEnders legend Nigel Bates passes away after battling dementia, actor Paul Bradley discusses his 'moving' final episode and reuniting with the Mitchell brothers
As EastEnders legend Nigel Bates passes away after battling dementia, actor Paul Bradley discusses his ‘moving’ final episode(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
There won’t be a dry eye in the house on Wednesday, as EastEnders icon Nigel Bates dies after battling dementia.
The character returned for the devastating storyline in December 2024, with actor Paul Bradley reprising his role after more than 20 years offscreen. Paul, 70, says it’s been a privilege to play Nigel again, as the character’s sad storylines ends this week.
Paul says: “Unfortunately it is such a resonant subject for viewers, but undoubtedly an important storyline to tell and raise awareness of. Returning to the set, and cast, has been amazing and it’s been a rollercoaster.
“The fact that Steve [McFadden] is still there, and that I could work with him again was fantastic. There is mutual admiration there.” Paul’s character Nigel, who debuted in Walford in 1992, was a close friend of the Mitchell brothers, Grant and Phil, and so it was only fitting they both be included in Paul’s final episode.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house on Wednesday, as EastEnders icon Nigel Bates dies (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Ross Kemp’s return as Grant aired this week, and Paul says it’s like no time has passed at all. He shares: “It was so weird because Ross hasn’t changed in his appearance in all these years, so, when I saw him at first, it was like ‘what is time?’
“You pick up right back where you left off.” Nigel’s final scenes are a “beautiful ending”, says Paul, with some moments kept secret.
Paul explains: “It’s difficult to describe without giving too much away, but the story has found a way to reconcile a lot of the loose ends in the various relationships Nigel has.”
Paul admits that as Nigel’s dementia symptoms have worsened over the past year, it’s felt like he’s played multiple characters. He says: “We’ve gradually gone on this journey with Nigel, and by the end, he is a very different person to the character he was when he initially returned.
The character returned in December 2024, with actor Paul Bradley reprising his role after more than 20 years offscreen(Image: BBC)
“Of course, this is what family, and friends of people living with dementia find very difficult to come to terms with as they call it ‘the long goodbye’.”
Paul has fond memories of his time on the BBC soap, fondly recalling Nigel’s friendship with soap legend Dot Cotton, played by the late June Brown.
“It was just so fantastic,” he says. “That was a great relationship, because Nigel became the son that Dot had always wanted after Nasty Nick. I was only meant to be in it for a couple of episodes, and they gave me this suit, which was flashy.
“I then got asked back, and they wanted me to stay for a while, so I remember asking my wife whether I could commit to the time it required, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
