EastEnders airs unannounced exit for beloved character in BBC iPlayer release
It’s the end of an era in EastEnders… Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) has left Albert Square to travel across India. Henthorn reprised her role after 27 years away in July last year. This followed a brief voice-only appearance in the previous January. Julie was seeking estranged husband Nigel (Paul Bradley), who had come to Walford after receiving a young-onset dementia diagnosis. He didn’t want to burden her, and had instead struck up an agreement with old pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), where he would live with him and eventually act as his carer when the time came. She gave Phil a frosty reception, believing he was in the wrong for harbouring Nigel’s ill health from her, though eventually softened upon learning that they were her husband’s wishes. After settling in Walford, and getting a job at the high school, Julie has become a pillar of support within the community. She even became an unlikely player in the ‘Manosphere’ storyline involving Joel Marshall (Max Murray). Karen Henthorn and Paul Bradley as Julie and Nigel Bates. BBC It’s …
