A much-loved EastEnders legend recently made a much-hyped comeback, but rather than rekindle nostalgia, the short return has left fans fuming—and questioning why the character was written so poorly.

Most likely this refers to the celebrated return of Nigel Bates (played by Paul Bradley), whose reappearance after 26 years away, aired on Christmas Day, was supposed to be a heartfelt moment. Instead, while fans were initially thrilled, many felt the execution fell flat. Nigel appeared disheveled and aged, a portrayal that viewers found almost unrecognisable—prompting calls that he was given short shrift both in storyline and characterisation Wikipedia+15Daily News+15Metro+15Metro+1The Scottish Sun+1.

Upon his reintroduction, Nigel’s storyline revolved largely around helping Phil Mitchell through depression, which is noble in concept but limited in scope. Fans complained that the show barely leveraged Nigel’s legacy character beyond a cameo-style appearance, cutting him off before fully reintegrating him into the fabric of the Square The Sun.

One vocal sentiment echoed across social media: “They didn’t even recognise him at first,” writes a fan—symbolic of how disconnected his return felt. While Paul Bradley’s performance garnered acclaim, with viewers praising his heartfelt portrayal and nostalgia, the script did little justice to the emotional weight Nigel could have carried in long-term arcs The SunDaily News.

Online fans have expressed disappointment that Nigel’s return was brief, offering closure and context only superficially. Reddit discussions reflect broader complaints that returning characters often get sidelined once their big episode airs. One fan wrote, “It’s becoming clear they don’t know what to do with these characters beyond their big return episode,” highlighting a pattern across legacy appearances Wikipedia+3Reddit+3Reddit+3.

It’s not the first time nostalgia-heavy returns have underwhelmed. Several Reddit users have pointed out that short cameo stints feel more like fan service than meaningful storytelling—multi-episode arcs start strong, then peter out without conclusion RedditReddit.

In Nigel’s case, rather than exploring his struggle with early-onset dementia, reconnecting with old friends, or mentoring younger residents, he was reduced to a convenient plot device for Phil’s mental health journey. Fans argue that a legend like Nigel deserved a deeper role—not just a fleeting emotional touchstone Daily NewsThe Sun.

Despite the fan frustration, critics and commenters still praised Bradley’s performance. One piece described his return as poignant but overshadowed by the lack of storyline progression. Another pointed to the show’s missed opportunity to give Nigel a lasting presence rather than a disposable cameo Wikipedia+5Daily News+5The Sun+5.

Writers and producers have been under fire for relying too heavily on nostalgia without delivering substance. As one Reddit thread put it, “Clenshaw’s short returns tend to be relatively good, but every long-term character introduced under his tenure weakens quickly” Reddit.

There was no scandal around Nigel’s return—unlike other controversial character comebacks—but fans insisted the character was treated with disrespect, tale built up over decades only to be sidelined in a handful of scenes. The sentiment: if you bring back a legend, give them proper arcs—not just a cameo during holiday programming RedditThe Sun.

✅ Verdict

The return of a cherished EastEnders legend generated initial excitement but ultimately disappointed viewers, who felt the character’s behavior and role underwhelmed their expectations. With limited screen time, shallow storyline involvement, and a lack of future integration, fans believe this comeback was squandered.

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