Julie Bates

Name: Julie Bates
First Appeared: 15th September 1997
Played by: Karen Henthorn

Julie Haye first waltzed into Walford in September 1997, making her presence felt at a parent-teacher meeting where she informed Nigel Bates that his ward, Clare, was hanging out with a gang of bullies. Clare wasn’t too thrilled with Julie’s interference at first, but thanks to Nigel’s support, the bullying eventually subsided. Julie and Nigel’s paths continued to cross at his video shop, where she’d often pop in to rent French films. Their friendship blossomed, leading Julie to rope Nigel into organizing a play about Walford’s history, which piqued the interest of the entire community.

As the play took shape, Julie and Nigel’s relationship grew more complicated. After one particularly intense committee meeting, Julie kissed Nigel, only to be met with awkwardness as he didn’t reciprocate. Meanwhile, Clare had started dating Josh Saunders, who turned out to be Julie’s son. Julie, divorced from Josh’s father, Eliot Saunders, used her maiden name to shield Josh from bullying. Despite Eliot’s disapproval of Julie’s plan to move to Scotland with Josh, Nigel’s regret over his earlier reticence led him to ask Julie out. Their date went swimmingly, ending with a kiss and a rekindled connection.

Drama loomed large over the play rehearsals, with casting woes and Nigel feeling slighted when his role was reassigned to Alex Healy. Doubts gnawed at him until Julie reassured him of her genuine interest by spending the night at his place. Unfortunately, the discovery of a dead rose bush planted in his late wife’s honour led Nigel to believe in a bad omen, prompting him to end things with Julie without explanation. Furious, Julie’s attempts to mend their relationship through Clare failed. On the night of the play, Julie excelled in her role, but a despondent Nigel avoided the after party.

As Julie prepared to leave for Scotland the next day, Nigel had a change of heart. He stopped her taxi just in time to confess his love and ask if he and Clare could join her and Josh in Scotland. Julie agreed, and they embarked on a new life together.

Nearly 30 years later, Nigel returned to Albert Square, with Julie desperate for him to return to Scotland for unknown reasons. It turned out he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and ran from Julie without telling her…

Now, Phil needs extra help taking care of old friend Nige – and there’s only one person he can call…