Nigel Bates returns to BBC soap EastEnders for the first time in 26 years in time for Christmas.
The character, played by Paul Bradley, appeared at a community center where Yoland Truman, played by Angela Winter, was volunteering during the episode.
Nigel left the show in April 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Claire moved to Scotland with partner Julie Hay and her son Josh. Left Albert Square to start a new life.
Bradley said, “I am delighted and honored to be back as Nigel.
“Even after all this time, I’m still recognized in the street as Nigel.”
EastEnders executive producer Chris Kleinshaw said it was “fantastic” to welcome Bradley back.
He also teased: “There’s a lot of mystery about Nigel’s situation and why he’s here alone, which will be revealed in the coming weeks.”
On Christmas Day, Nigel will be reunited with his childhood best friend Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, the BBC said.
Bradley said he is having a great time working with McFadden again.
“I’m a huge fan of his work, and he’s set the bar really high,” he added.
During his first run on the show, his character’s biggest storylines saw him falling in love with his video shop employee Debbie Tyler, played by Nicola Duffett, before she was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Be killed, and befriends Jon. Brown’s Dot Cotton who saw him as the son he never had.