![\"Nigel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/527179-dbf1.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie\u2019s back \u2013 and she wants Nigel to return home (Picture: BBC\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tJulie\u2019s back \u2013 and she wants Nigel to return home (Picture: BBC\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) makes a grand return to EastEnders next week \u2013 and wants to take husband Nigel<\/a> (Paul Bradley<\/a>) back to Scotland.<\/p>\n It was announced last month that Karen would be reprising her role following a 27-year absence<\/a>, following much speculation from fans that Julie would be heading back to Walford.<\/p>\n She briefly appeared in a voice only capacity in January, when she pleaded with Nige\u2019 to return home.<\/p>\n However, as viewers of the BBC<\/a> One soap know, he\u2019s been living with old pal Phil Mitchell<\/a> (Steve McFadden<\/a>) for fears of burdening Julie with his young-onset dementia diagnosis.<\/p>\n Recent scenes have shown his condition rapidly decline, with him confusing other locals for his family members and believing its the mid 90s.<\/a><\/p>\n His behaviour has also become somewhat unpredictable and erratic, which was confirmed to Phil when Nigel spilled a pan full of boiling hot water over his arm.<\/p>\n Phil\u2019s ex-wife Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) began to wonder<\/a> whether he was capable of being a carer, and whether the strain of the situation would begin to weigh on his physical and emotional health.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t When she broached the subject of calling Julie, he asserted that he was fine.<\/p>\n In upcoming scenes, Nigel tears up when Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) sees a photo of him and Julie on their wedding day. Jay Brown<\/a> (Jamie Borthwick<\/a>) is in disbelief that they\u2019re estranged, and begins to dig further.<\/p>\n Phil insists that he keep out of the situation, but after chatting to Kat and Callum Highway<\/a> (Tony Clay<\/a>), he loads up his computer and begins to search for her online.<\/p>\n \u2018She\u2019s had flyers up, she\u2019s posted all over social media, and she\u2019s been desperate to find him,\u2019 Karen told us.<\/p>\n \u2018Julie thought they had such a strong, solid life together up in Scotland that she never would have imagined that Nigel would go back to Albert Square.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Jay realises how badly she wants to be reunited, and despite Phil\u2019s best advice, decides to call her.<\/p>\n The next day, she arrives in Albert Square and demands to know what\u2019s happened to Nigel. Jay takes a deep breath before filling her in on the last eight months.<\/p>\n Explaining that Julie goes into \u2018denial\u2019, Karen added: \u2018Julie is still trying to process everything she\u2019s been told when she bumps into Nigel on the Square.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s such extreme news and not what she was expecting at all.\u2019<\/p>\n To make matters worse, Nige\u2019 doesn\u2019t even recognise his own wife anymore.<\/p>\n As he becomes overwhelmed, Phil kicks off and an argument ensues.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tFollow Metro Soaps on WhatsApp and get all the latest spoilers first!\t\t\t<\/p>\n Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who\u2019s leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?<\/p>\n Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro’s WhatsApp Soaps community<\/a> and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.<\/p>\n Simply\u00a0click on this link<\/strong><\/a>, select \u2018Join Chat\u2019 and you\u2019re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we’ve just dropped the latest spoilers! <\/p>\n Later, as things cool off, Phil presents Julie with a video that Nigel recorded for her, that better explains his stance on the situation and the reason he fled Scotland.<\/p>\n Despite that, she remains adamant that he is better off at home with her on the other side of the border, and Linda Carter<\/a> (Kellie Bright<\/a>) has to try and settle the frosty environment.<\/p>\n Jay intervenes once again and makes Julie realise that Phil and Nigel have recaptured their friendship in recent months, and how it would be beneficial for them to remain together.<\/p>\n However, that night, Nigel pleads with them both to stop during another squabble, and then rushes out.<\/p>\n Will they find him, and will Julie succeed in her plight to take him \u2018home\u2019?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/strong><\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/524774-06da.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie\u2019s back in Walford, and Jay fills her in on what\u2019s happened (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/524771-2776.jpg\")
\n\t\tShe doesn\u2019t believe Nigel is in a bad way (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/524816-b036.jpg\")
\n\t\tJulie thinks Nige would be better off in her care (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Julie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/524808-7691.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s not long before she\u2019s arguing with Phil (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Julie,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/524785-2383.jpg\")
\n\t\tNigel becomes overwhelmed and rushes out (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Phil\u2019s violent streak returns in EastEnders as he uncovers Johnny and Callum\u2019s affair<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Dominant EastEnders\u2019 winning streak continues as it nets yet more awards<\/a><\/p>\n