EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders star Shaun Williamson has revealed that another unexpected return will take place during the special episode centring on Nigel Bates. We already know that two characters will make a brief comeback, but who is the third?

It was confirmed last month that Williamson and Pam St Clement would reprise their respective roles of Barry Evans and Pat Butcher for a one-off episode involving Nigel, who was diagnosed with dementia.

The pair, whose characters are both deceased, will have a brief role as the symptoms of Nigel’s condition leads him to imagine several former friends parting in The Queen Vic, though the reality is that the pub is empty.

Though not officially confirmed by the BBC soap, Williamson seemingly revealed that he and St Clement will be joined by Nicola Duffett, who portrayed Debbie Bates – Nigel’s ex-wife – between 1993 and 1995.

“It was just Nigel, Pat and his ex-wife, Debbie, who was played by Nicola Duffett,” Williamson told The Sun. “It was just great to be back working with these fabulous actors again.”

Williamson, who departed the series in 2004 after his character was killed-off, explained that his return also has a personal touch to it, with the actor sharing that his mother had suffered with dementia before her passing in 2022.

“It felt incredibly personal for me. My mum passed away after getting dementia. We lost her in 2022,” he shared. “That’s why I thought returning was such a great idea, and why the story hit me so deeply.

“I was shocked to be asked, but genuinely thrilled. I wanted to raise awareness because in 30 to 40 years’ time it’s predicted that dementia cases will have doubled. That’s a frightening thought.”

“I’ve always thought it impossible,” said the actor of his wider return to the soap. “Janine [Butcher] had him cremated in Scotland, Pat brought the ashes back – it would just be ridiculous.

“I certainly wouldn’t recreate a Dallas-type episode where Bobby Ewing returns from the dead, getting out of the shower, wrapped in a towel. EastEnders would lose about another million viewers if I did that… Barry’s return is credible.”