East Enders

EastEnders icon Barry Evans to make shock return to soap 21 years after being killed off by wife in cliff fall

Posted on by Franki

EASTENDERS icon Barry Evans is returning to the BBC soap – 21 years after his tragic death.

The character – played by Shaun Williamson – will appear as part of a special episode next month as part of Nigel Bates’s dementia storyline.

Two men in sequined jackets smile in front of a red curtain.
Shaun Williamson is returning as Barry Evans after 21 yearsCredit: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron

 

Scene from EastEnders showing a man and woman in a tense confrontation.
Barry was murdered by wife Janine 21 years agoCredit: BBC

Shaun, 60, has already filmed the scenes which will see him return to the Queen Vic alongside his on-screen step-mother Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement).

His character was killed off by his wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) in 2004 when she pushed him off a cliff.

However Barry returns in Nigel’s imagination which goes back to the 1990s with  Pat as the Queen Vic’s landlady.

The episode will see Pat and her step-son Barry put their differences aside to help Nigel (Paul Bradley) in his time of need.

Shaun, who first joined the soap in 1994,  said: “It was a complete shock getting the call to go back to Albert Square, but so exciting.

“I have to admit to a few nerves (loads!) when I walked back onto the set of The Queen Victoria.

“But it was so great to work with old friends and colleagues on such a brilliant episode.

“It just goes to show – you never know what’s around the corner.”

Two Eastenders actors seated on a sofa with Christmas decorations.
Pam St Clement is also returning as Pat ButcherCredit: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron

EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: “I’m delighted to welcome Shaun Williamson back to EastEnders for Nigel’s special episode.

“Barry Evans was renowned for being one of Walford’s unluckiest residents, most notably for his choice of shoes, and so it was a privilege to welcome him back alongside Pat for these special scenes in The Vic.”