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EastEnders' Clare Bates Returns After 18 Years for Dad's Dementia Storyline
2 Mar
Summary
- Clare Bates returns to EastEnders after an 18-year absence.
- Her return is tied to her on-screen father Albert's dementia storyline.
- Actress Gemma Bissix cherished reconnecting with co-star Paul Bradley.
Clare Bates, portrayed by Gemma Bissix, is returning to EastEnders after an 18-year absence. This significant comeback is part of a poignant storyline focusing on her on-screen father, Albert's, struggle with dementia. Bissix, who is now 42, expressed her pleasure in being back and highlighted the emotional significance of working on Nigel Bates' dementia narrative.
The actress shared that reconnecting with Paul Bradley, who plays Nigel Bates, felt like stepping back in time, as they had not worked together in over two decades. Bissix emphasized the familial atmosphere on set, recalling how actors like Bradley felt like a stepfather figure during their earlier six-year on-screen partnership. She also noted the joy of reuniting with other long-standing cast members.
Clare's return will involve confronting the realities of her father's advanced dementia and her own prolonged absence from Albert Square. Bissix revealed that Clare feels her sister, Julie, may have called her back late as a form of punishment, as Clare had wished to reconcile with her father. This return carries personal weight for Bissix, as she has experienced the impact of early-onset dementia through a close friend's family.
