EastEnders icon Shaun Williamson is set to return to Walford this December.
The actor, 60, who is widely known for portraying the role of Barry Evans in the BBC soap from 1994 until 2004, will reprise his role for a special episode as part of Nigel Bates’s dementia storyline.
Earlier this year, Nigel, portrayed by actor Paul Bradley, 70, revealed that he was suffering from dementia as he opened up to Yolande Trueman, portrayed by Angela Wynter.
And in the upcoming episode, Barry will make an appearance alongside step-mother Pat in The Queen Vic when Nigel’s dementia symptoms intensify.
Although their relationship was fraught in the land of the living, Pat and Barry will put aside their differences to help Nigel in his time of need.
The special episode will transmit in December, and EastEnders has been working closely with Dementia UK on Nigel’s storyline since its inception.
EastEnders icon Shaun Williamson is set to return to Walford this December (pictured 2001)
The actor, 60, who is widely known for portraying the role of Barry Evans in the BBC soap from 1994 until 2004, will reprise his role for a special episode as part of Nigel Bates’s dementia storyline
Speaking on his return to EastEnders, Shaun said: ‘It was a complete shock getting the call to go back to Albert Square, but so exciting!
‘I have to admit to a few nerves (loads!) when I walked back onto the set of The Queen Victoria, but it was so great to work with old friends and colleagues on such a brilliant episode. Just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner!’
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Shaun Williamson back to EastEnders for Nigel’s special episode.
He continued: ‘Barry Evans was renowned for being one of Walford’s unluckiest residents, most notably for his choice of shoes, and so it was a privilege to welcome him back alongside Pat for these special scenes in The Vic.’
It’s been over 21 years since Barry last stepped into Walford. However, his character remains etched into the history of the show for his inherent bad luck, hopeless love life, and epic feud with step-mother Pat Evans.
After a series of failed romances, Barry thought he had finally found his match when he married Walford’s Janine Butcher, but their relationship proved to be most fateful of all.
He unknowingly made a wardrobe faux pas by not wearing slip-on shoes and fell to his untimely death in 2004 when Janine pushed him off a cliff.
The news comes days after it was revealed that Pam St Clement is set to make her comeback this December too.
Speaking on his return to EastEnders, Shaun said: ‘It was a complete shock getting the call to go back to Albert Square, but so exciting!’ (pictured 2001)
He continued: ‘I have to admit to a few nerves (loads!) when I walked back onto the set of The Queen Victoria, but it was so great to work with old friends and colleagues on such a brilliant episode’ (pictured last month)
The news comes days after it was revealed that Pam St Clement is set to make her comeback this December too (pictured on the soap in 2011)
The actress, 83, who is widely known for portraying the role of Pat Butcher in the BBC soap from 1986 until January 2012, will also reprise her role for a special episode as part of Nigel Bates’s dementia storyline.
As Nigel’s memories and altered reality take him back to the 1990s, Pat will return to The Queen Vic to help Nigel when his dementia symptoms intensify following an emotional evening at his festive film screening.
Speaking on her return to EastEnders, Pam said: ‘I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again and to be involved in Nigel’s touching dementia storyline.
‘It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home.’
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, added: ‘It’s an honour and a privilege to welcome Pam St Clement back to EastEnders for a special episode in Nigel’s ongoing dementia storyline.
He continued: ‘Pat Evans is one of the most cherished and iconic characters to have graced the streets of Walford, and I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I say what a delight it was to see Pat and Pam back in The Queen Vic as she helps Nigel in his time of need.’
Pat last stepped foot in Albert Square back in May 2016 when she returned as a figment of Peggy’s (Barbara Windsor) imagination on the night of her death as Peggy bid farewell to her character and the Square one final time.
However, Pat officially left EastEnders back in 2012 when her character died of cancer on New Year’s Day.
