NOSTALGIA STRIKES! EastEnders Fans Call for Clare Bates’ Return
EastEnders fans are rallying once again, this time for a familiar face they want back on the Square. Clare Bates, played by Gemma Bissix, hasn’t been seen in nearly two decades, but her name is trending after a twist from a rival soap. With Gemma’s recent exit from Hollyoaks, viewers feel the timing couldn’t be better for Clare to return to Walford.
Fans Rally for Clare’s Comeback
This year has already seen major returns to Albert Square, including Zoe Slater and Max Branning, whose secret past has shaken fans. Now, viewers want another former star to make her comeback: Gemma Bissix, known for her role as Clare Bates.
Bissix recently reprised her villainous role as Clare Devine in Hollyoaks. After news of her departure from Channel 4’s soap, fans are urging the BBC to welcome Clare Bates back to EastEnders. Social media is abuzz with excitement, with one fan posting, “Clare is coming home now, surely!” while another tweeted, “CLARE BATES RETURN LOOMS #EASTENDERS.”
Clare Bates’ History on the Square
Gemma Bissix first appeared as Clare Bates in 1993, playing the daughter of Debbie Tyler and stepdaughter of Nigel Bates. She left the soap in 1998 but returned briefly in 2008, during which she had a fling with Bradley Branning. Since then, Clare hasn’t been seen on-screen, leaving fans feeling she never received a proper send-off.
With Nigel recently returning to EastEnders and struggling with dementia, fans hope Clare could come back to care for her stepfather and help navigate his challenging journey. Her return would provide both nostalgia and a meaningful storyline that connects with viewers emotionally.
What Clare’s Return Could Mean for EastEnders
Clare’s comeback could bring layers of drama to existing plots, reconnecting her with familiar faces in Walford. With Bobby Brazier and Lacey Turner preparing to leave as Freddie and Stacey Slater, Clare’s reappearance could help fill the void and keep the Square buzzing with intrigue.
Fans are excited at the prospect of seeing Clare handle family tensions, reconnect with old friends, and potentially create new storylines that honor her past while shaping the present of EastEnders. While nothing is official yet, the demand for her return is louder than ever.