Paul Bradley and Shaun Williamson as Nigel and Barry in EastEnders / BBC
Shaun Williamson has said that he was “genuinely thrilled” to be asked to reprise his role as the iconic Barry Evans on EastEnders.
The character will be back in Albert Square just before Christmas for a one-off episode seen from the perspective of Nigel (Paul Bradley), who is suffering from dementia and believes he is back in the ’90s.
The episode will also see the return of Pam St Clement as the late Pat Butcher/Evans – Barry’s stepmother – and in an interview with The Sun, Williamson also let slip that Nicola Duffett, who played Nigel’s now-deceased wife Debbie, will also be back.
“Barry’s return is credible,” he told the newspaper. “It is in an empty pub but, in Nigel’s mind, it’s full of his old mates and there’s a karaoke going on. It’s beautifully written.
“It was just Nigel, Pat and his ex-wife, Debbie, who was played by Nicola Duffett. It was just great to be back working with these fabulous actors again.”
Williamson also revealed that he had an “incredibly personal” connection with Nigel’s storyline as his mother, who died in 2022, also had the condition.
“Covid was especially hard on her, mainly due to the lack of social interaction,” he said. “We did everything we could as a family to support her, but she then suffered a stroke and we lost her. It was heartbreaking. She was 87.
“I wanted to raise awareness because in 30 to 40 years’ time it’s predicted that dementia cases will have doubled. That’s a frightening thought.”
The special episode is due to air on BBC One and iPlayer in around three weeks’ time.
