Paul Bradley's EastEnders return has been a rollercoaster, but why? Soap star Paul Bradley has opened up about his return to EastEnders. 28 April 2026 Paul Bradley's EastEnders return has been a "rollercoaster" experience. Paul Bradley has enjoyed his EastEnders return The 70-year-old actor reprised the role of Nigel Bates in EastEnders, and Paul is conscious of the importance of Nigel's dementia storyline.