Clare Bates

Name: Clare Bates
First Appeared: 6th July 1993
Last Appeared: 7th August 2008
Played by: Gemma Bissix

Clare Bates, first graced Albert Square in July 1993. She arrived with her mum Debbie, who moved in with her new partner Nigel Bates. Clare’s early years in Walford were marred by her abusive father, Liam Tyler, who tried everything to break up her mum and Nigel. Despite the drama, Debbie and Nigel tied the knot in 1994, and Clare found happiness in their new family unit. However, tragedy struck in June 1995 when Debbie was killed in a hit-and-run accident, leaving Clare and Nigel to pick up the pieces. Nigel’s struggle with grief led him to fight Liam for custody of Clare, ultimately winning after Liam’s abusive past was revealed.

Clare’s teenage years were anything but smooth. She befriended the likes of Janine Butcher and Sonia Jackson, and together they caused mischief in Walford. One of their more notorious escapades involved spreading rumors about the new barber, Felix Kawalski, leading Clare to break into his shop to investigate. The drama continued as Clare fell in with a bad crowd at school, bullying Sonia and getting into trouble. However, a heartfelt intervention from Nigel and her teacher, Julie Haye, helped Clare see the error of her ways. She eventually found love with Josh Saunders, despite Nigel’s initial objections, and when Julie got a job in Scotland, Clare and Nigel decided to join her, leaving Walford in April 1998.

Fast forward to February 2008, and Clare made a dramatic return to Albert Square, literally thrown from the back seat of a car. Dot Branning, Nigel’s former landlady, convinced her to stay, and Clare moved in with Dot, taking a job as a receptionist at Tanya Branning’s beauty parlour. Clare, always with an eye for wealth, tried to attract the attention of rich men like Jack and Max Branning, but found Ian Beale more susceptible to her charms. Her flirtations led to blackmail, as Clare threatened to expose Ian’s dishonourable intentions unless he paid up. However, Ian’s confession to Jane put an end to Clare’s scheme, and Jane warned her to stay away from Ian.

Clare’s interest soon shifted to Bradley Branning, whom she attempted to seduce after he landed a lucrative job. Despite his initial resistance, Bradley eventually fell for Clare’s charms, but their budding romance was thwarted by Clare’s past. An aggressive ex, Arnold, tracked her down, leading to a failed robbery and Clare realizing Bradley was too good for her. Despite this, Clare continued her gold-digging ways, even framing her colleague Chelsea Fox for theft to make a quick buck. However, Clare’s vulnerable side emerged on the anniversary of her mother’s death, revealing her loneliness and strained relationship with Nigel.

Ultimately, Clare’s attempts to change her ways fell short. A diary revealing her gold-digging plans turned Bradley against her, and after a disastrous party at Dot’s house, Clare was forced to leave Walford. Despite trying to make amends, Bradley insisted she go, and Clare left Albert Square in a black taxi, leaving behind a farewell letter for Dot and a legacy of drama and heartbreak.