EastEnders fans predict Clare Bates return as Gemma Bissix exits Hollyoaks

Channel 4/BBC/YouTube/Composite: EI

By Joel Harley

Sep 17 2025

EastEnders fans predict Clare Bates return as Gemma Bissix exits Hollyoaks

An omen of things to come?

Hollyoaks Nigel Bates

By Joel Harley

Sep 17 2025

Fans of EastEnders have predicted that the return of Clare Bates looms, following the news that the actress is departing her Hollyoaks role. Gemma rejoined the Channel 4 soap opera earlier this year, reprising her role as villainous Clare Devine.

Having faked her own death in 2013, Clare returned from beyond the grave for Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary. and soon set about making up for lost time in resuming her villainous ways, terrorising the shocked residents of Hollyoaks, Cheshire.

However, mere months later, and Clare is on her way back out.

Gemma Bissix as Clare Devine in EastEnders — Clare will exit Hollyoaks again over the coming weeks (Picture: Channel 4/YouTube)

Gemma Bissix exits Hollyoaks in ‘exhilarating’ ending

As the news broke, a source told Metro.co.uk: “Gemma has absolutely loved being back but a character like Clare can never stick around for too long, given everything she’s done.”

‘There’s a lot more to come before the final scenes air but it promises to be an exhilarating ending.”

But what’s next for Gemma? With Nigel’s heartbreaking story still playing out in Walford, some fans have predicted that Gemma’s return to EastEnders now beckons.

Nigel revealed that he’d grown estranged from adopted daughter Clare (who he shared with his late wife, Debbie) in recent years, but with his dementia only worsening, it’s surely only a matter of time before Phil or Julie reach out to her.