EastEnders star makes shock return after 27 years as Nigel Bates hides dark secret

EASTENDERS has aired another shock return with a fan favourite making a surprise comeback after 27 years away.

The BBC One soap has been welcoming back some of its biggest and brightest stars as it approaches its 40th anniversary.

And now in today’s episode it has pulled off another surprise with the voice comeback of actress Karen Henthorn as Julie Haye.

When Nigel Bates returned on Christmas Eve, revealing he and Julie had split up, it soon became clear he wasn’t being honest.

A text message from Julie begged him to return home but Nigel hid it.

And now in today’s episode as Nigel came under suspicion from Billy Mitchell, he hid a call from Julie.

With Billy reassured by Nigel name-dropping Dot Cotton, he left and Nigel picked up his phone to listen to a voicemail.

Viewers heard her voice - played once more by actress Karen  - beg Nigel to return home.

She begged: "Nigel, it's Julie again. I don't know if you got my last message or...

"Listen, Nigel, I promise I'm not cross, whatever reason you walked out and disappeared, I just really need to know if you're alright mate. 

“I miss you. I love you, Nigel."

Julie was last seen in the Square in 1998 before she left for a new life in Scotland with Nigel and their respective children.

Bosses are being tight-lipped on whether Karen will make an on-screen comeback to the soap.

The actress is best known for playing Teresa Bryant in Coronation Streeet between 2008 and 2010.