It’s the EastEnders return fans have been clamouring for ever since Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) dementia story kicked off; that of his estranged daughter, Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix), who was utterly integral to his initial stint on the Square.
‘It was a long time coming!’ Gemma said, in regards to finally being asked to return as Clare, a role she first played all the way back in 1986.
Nigel’s storyline has seen him return to Walford and, upon the discovery of his condition, taken in by long time best friend, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who’s acted as his carer.
His wife, Julie (Karen Henthorn), also returned after a long absence, and, alongside Phil, dedicated herself to his care, with the two often at odds as to what’s best for Nigel.
As Nigel’s perception of reality has continued to crumble with his dementia symptoms intensifying, a special episode of EastEnders saw the returns of Daniel Delaney and Teddy Jay as young Phil and Grant, Pat and Barry Evans (Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson) and ex-wife (and Clare’s mum) Debbie (Nicola Duffett), but still no Clare…
…until now.
Who is Clare Bates in EastEnders?
Clare’s first stint
Clare and mum Debbie arrived in Walford and moved in with Nigel in 1993, after escaping Liam Tyler, Clare’s dad who’d physically abused both her andDebbie.
He emerged and tried to make life difficult for the family to no avail, as Debbie and Nigel wed the following year. Their happiness was cut short, though, when Debbie was killed in a hit and run.
Nigel fell into a deep depression, but fought to keep Clare as Liam demanded his daughter return to his custody. When Liam’s ex-girlfriend revealed his abusive behaviour in court, Nigel was granted sole custody of Clare.
She found herself embroiled in teenage plotlines, ascending in popularity at school and bullying former best friend, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), which brought her teacher, Julie into Nigel’s orbit.
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As she began a romance with Josh Saunders (Jon Lee, later of S-Club 7), unaware that he was Julie’s son, the two couples eventually formed a new family unit.
With Paul Bradley deciding to leave EastEnders, the entire family was written out and Clare left Walford for ten years.
Clare’s second stint
Clare crashed back onto Albert Square, being thrown from the backseat of a car by her lover, an incredibly wealthy CEO.
Dot Cotton (June Brown) offered her a place to stay and she immediately set about seeking out a brand new meal ticket.
After setting her sights firmly on the Branning brothers, Max and Jack (Jake Wood and Scott Maslen), she eventually settled on Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) as a target, and attempted to blackmail him by threatening to tell his wife, Jane (Laurie Brett), of his supposed flirtation with her.
When that plan flopped, she turned to another Branning, this time, kind-hearted Bradley (Charlie Clements), who she manipulated into helping her steal from a former lover.
Things began to unravel quickly for Clare, though, when she was caught stealing and blaming it on new bestie, Chelsea Fox (then Tiana Benjamin). A softer side began to emerge, as she realised she needed to change her ways; an estranged relationship with Nigel had left her with the belief that she could only rely on herself, which lead her to target wealthy men as a means of supporting herself financially.
Despite her best attempts to change, Bradley’s discovery that Clare had planned to fleece him of cash and subsequent trashing of Dot’s house saw him tell her to leave Walford.
She did, leaving a goodbye letter for Dot and helping herself to a pocketful of Bradley’s money before hopping in a taxi.
Who plays Clare Bates in EastEnders?
Clare has been played by Gemma Bissix throughout every stint.
Gemma is, of course, most known to soap fans as the truly evil Clare Devine, Hollyoaks’ ultimate villain, over several stints since 2006.
Emerging as a party planner, the true scope of her malignance slowly became clear, as her determination to gain wealth at any cost emerged as her sole drive.
Regrettably killed off in 2013, Hollyoaks resurrected Clare last year, heart as black (and lips as red) as ever, revealing her as the mastermind behind the human trafficking ring that had seen the village’s teenage population ensnared.
Outside of Soapland, Gemma starred in Britannia High, Washed Up, Crime Stories and Ghetto Heaven.
She’s also competed in Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Masterchef.
Off-screen, Gemma has forged an impressive career in theatre, with her role as evil Clare Devine seeing her frequently assume the villain part in Panto.