Everything you need to know about Nicola Duffett as she reprises her iconic role as Debbie Bates on the BBC soap

EastEnders has welcomed back the character of Debbie Bates, three decades after her unexpected demise.

In the 1990s, Debbie, portrayed by Nicola Duffett on the BBC soap, was the loving wife of Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), and together they raised their daughter, Clare (Gemma Bissix), in a warm family environment on Albert Square.

Tragedy struck after just two years in Walford when Debbie was killed in 1995, leaving Nigel heartbroken. She had stepped onto the road and was hit by a passing car, resulting in her immediate death.

After the shocking loss of Debbie, widower Nigel found love once more with Clare’s teacher, Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn), and the couple tied the knot before relocating to Scotland for a fresh start in 1998.

During Christmas 2024, Nigel made a dramatic return to Walford and reconnected with his best mate Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). He soon revealed that he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, reports the Mirror.

On Tuesday (23rd December), the BBC soap aired a special episode as Nigel’s symptoms worsened and he journeyed into his past.

Nigel’s memory and altered perception took him back to 1990, where he reunited with old pals, Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson).

In a poignant scene, Nigel also had a long-awaited reunion with his dear Debbie, and the pair shared a slow dance in The Queen Vic.

So, what is Nicola Duffett up to these days?

Nicola Duffett, known for her role as Debbie Bates, shot to prominence in 1992 after appearing in the Academy Award-winning film Howards End, before landing a part in EastEnders between 1993 and 1995.

After her two-year stint in Albert Square, Nicola, who is now 62, secured the role of Cat Matthews in Family Affairs, which ran from 1998 to 2005, allowing her to enjoy a lavish lifestyle thanks to a lucrative contract.

The actress indulged in several holidays each year, frequented upscale restaurants, and splurged on shopping sprees at prestigious retailers such as Harrods. However, when acting opportunities diminished, her comfortable finances followed suit.

In 2005, Channel 5 cancelled Family Affairs after its bosses concluded that the soap wasn’t attracting a sufficient number of viewers, with the final episode broadcast in December of that year.

“I wish I had learned to save, but we actors and actresses just are not very business-minded”, Nicola told The Croydon Advertiser in 2009. “I just went into a bad place when they axed Family Affairs.”

She described her dramatic shift from working as a television actress to registering at the Job Centre, saying, “I have gone from not caring about how much stuff costs to checking the prices of absolutely everything.

“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.”

She was declared bankrupt in 2007. Luckily, Nicola’s acting career took a positive turn, and she bagged roles such as 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 secured the role of Lucie Fernsby on Coronation Street in 2020, making appearances in four episodes of the popular soap.

Most recently, she brought the character of Bernice to life in Murder, They Hope, and played Geraldine in the 2022 Amazon Prime series Agatha Raisin.