In the 1990s, Debbie, portrayed by Nicola Duffett in the BBC soap, was the beloved spouse of Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley). Together, they raised their daughter, Clare (Gemma Bissix), forming a close-knit family.

However, after only two years in Walford, Debbie tragically lost her life in 1995 when she was struck by a car, leaving Nigel heartbroken.

Nonetheless, Nigel, now a widower, found love once more with Clare’s teacher, Julie Haye (played by Karen Henthorn). The couple tied the knot and relocated to Scotland for a fresh start in 1998.

During Christmas 2024, Nigel made a dramatic comeback to Walford and soon revealed his diagnosis of early-onset dementia, reports OK!.

Next month, EastEnders is set to broadcast a special episode as Nigel’s condition worsens and he delves into his past.

In poignant scenes, Nigel’s memory and altered reality will take him back to 1990, where he’ll encounter Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson). Fans are hopeful that they might also see a glimpse of his late wife, Debbie.

On social media, one EastEnders fan expressed: “Nigel’s first wife Debbie needs to return for Christmas special”, while another insisted: “Debbie and Clare should be back, resurrected for Nigel’s storyline #EastEnders @bbceastenders”.

“Did Pat and Nigel interact much or is it that Pam is still alive to return, why not Debbie and Claire #Eastenders @bbceastenders”, another suggested.

Nicola Duffett shot to fame in 1992 with a supporting role in the Oscar-winning film Howards End, followed by her portrayal of Debbie Bates in EastEnders from 1993 to 1995.

After a two-year stint on the soap, Nicola, now 62, landed the role of Cat Matthews in Family Affairs, which she played from 1998 to 2005, earning a substantial income that afforded her a life of luxury.

Her lifestyle included three holidays a year, fine dining, and shopping at Harrods, but it all came crashing down when Family Affairs was axed by Channel 5 in 2005 due to low viewership, with the final episode airing in December of that year.

In a 2009 interview with The Croydon Advertiser, Nicola expressed regret over not saving money, stating, “I wish I had learned to save, but we actors and actresses just are not very business-minded” She admitted to struggling after Family Affairs was cancelled, saying, “I just went into a bad place when they axed Family Affairs.”

Nicola described her transition from TV star to signing on at the Job Centre, revealing, “I have gone from not caring about how much stuff costs to checking the prices of absolutely everything.”

However, she found a new appreciation for bargain hunting, saying, “But I love it – picking up a bargain – it is so much more satisfying than going out every night to posh restaurants and just paying the bill.”

Nicola was declared bankrupt in 2007. Fortunately, Nicola’s acting career rebounded and she landed the role of Reet Ellison in Endeavour (2020), Amy Penketh in The Coroner (2016), Daisy Skelton in Waterloo Road (2013), and Eileen in Made In Dagenham, among others.

She also bagged the part of Lucie Fernsby on Coronation Street in 2020, featuring in four episodes. Most recently, she played Bernice in Murder, They Hope and Geraldine in the 2022 Amazon Prime series Agatha Raisin.

Could we see Nicola return to Walford as Debbie Bates for one final curtain call?