Debbie Bates
{{short description|Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox soap character
| series= EastEnders
| image= Debbie Bates EE.jpg
| imagesize= 200px
| caption=
| name= Debbie Bates
| introducer= Leonard Lewis
| portrayer= Nicola Duffett
| years= 1993–1995, 2025
| first= Episode 867
{{start date|1993|5|25|df=y}}
| last= Episode 7116
{{end date|2025|5|8|df=y}}
| occupation= Bookmaker cashier
| classification= Former; regular
| husband= Liam Tyler (until 1993)
Nigel Bates (1994–1995)
| mother= Maxine Palmer
| daughters= Clare Bates
}}
Debbie Bates (also Tyler) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nicola Duffett from 1993 to 1995. She was introduced as a love interest for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), but was killed-off in 1995 at Duffett's request. She returned In May 2025 in an uncredited cameo as a vision within Nigel Bates' mind.
Creation and development
Debbie was introduced in 1993 by executive producer Leonard Lewis as a love-interest for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley).{{cite book |last=Brake|first= Colin|author-link= Colin Brake|title= EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration |year=1995|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-37057-4|title-link= EastEnders spin-offs#Non-fiction books}} Debbie's actress Duffett has described Debbie as "nice, unassuming and shy", which she claims was in stark contrast to her own personality.{{cite news|url=http://www.orange.co.uk/entertainment/television/pics/3768_2.htm?linkfrom=%3C!--linkfromvariable--%3E&link=link_next&article=besteversoapcomebacks|title=When the soap bubble burst|publisher=Orange.co.uk|access-date=8 March 2011}} Debbie's introduction storyline stemmed around a storyline focusing on spousal abuse, when it was revealed that Debbie was being abused by her estranged husband Liam Tyler (Francis Magee). Nigel and Debbie's eventual marriage was the focus of EastEnders
Duffett grew weary of playing Debbie saying she became too boring and drippy, and asked the producers of EastEnders to kill her character off in 1995, which they did; Debbie was killed in a hit-and-run motor accident.{{cite news|url= http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040819/local/british-soap-actress-has-close-ties-to-malta|title=British soap actress has close ties to Malta|newspaper=Times of Malta|access-date=8 March 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/You've+got+m%40il%3a+Nicola+Duffett%3b+Answers+all+your+e-mails.-a092753749|title=Nicola Duffett; Answers all your e-mails|work=Daily Mirror|location=London|date=12 October 2002|access-date=8 March 2011}} Duffett has commented, "I left EastEnders of my own accord, without a shadow of a doubt. I begged to be killed. I ran to the script editor's office. Every time I see him at a party he says, 'I'll never forget you.' Because I ran in crying, 'Kill me NOW! I can't stand it.' Because the part was so boring. I played this simpering wimp, Debbie. All I did was walk into the Vic and say, 'Where's Nigel?'"{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Real+Real+Me%3a+Nicola+Duffett+-+I+don't+worry+how+I+look..I've+got...-a072493889|first=Nina|last=Myskow|date=30 March 2001|title=The Real Real Me: Nicola Duffett |work=Daily Mirror|location=London|access-date=8 March 2011}} Duffett has stated that she has no regrets about leaving the role, and that she wanted her character killed so she had no opportunity to ever return as she worried about being typecast.{{cite news|url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/From+champagne+and+oysters+to+stew+and+lemonade...my+EastEnders+high...-a061147552|title=From champagne and oysters to stew and lemonade...my EastEnders high life has gone West.|work=Daily Mirror|first=David|last=Rowe|date=4 May 1997|location=London|access-date=8 March 2011}}
Storylines
Debbie first appears in Walford in May 1993 as a friend of Tracey (Jane Slaughter), attending Tracey's hen party. She becomes a love interest for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), when she meets him at his birthday party. Debbie and her daughter, Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix), move nearby to escape Debbie's ex-husband Liam Tyler (Francis Magee), who has been abusing her. Liam eventually tracks Debbie down and makes several attempts to break up Nigel and Debbie but is unsuccessful, and Debbie and Clare both move to Walford to live with Nigel.
In July 1994, Debbie marries Nigel and they are content in marriage. She starts working at the local bookmakers but her boss, Stan Dougan (Jack Chissick), constantly tries to flirt with her, which she dislikes. She keeps this a secret from Nigel but when Stan makes a move on her she quickly rejects him and quits her job. Nigel is suspicious of Debbie suddenly quitting but eventually finds out Stan has been harassing her, so he punches Stan.
Tragedy strikes soon after when Debbie is killed in a hit-and-run accident in June 1995. Police tell Nigel that she walked out into a road and someone hit her at speed, killing her instantly. Debbie's death devastates Nigel and Clare for some time. Nigel goes on to adopt Clare after Liam returns and is unsuccessful in his attempt to gain custody of her. On the 13th anniversary of Debbie's death in 2008, Clare and Dot Branning (June Brown) visit her grave.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{EastEnders characters|past}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Debbie}}
Category:EastEnders characters
Category:Television characters introduced in 1993
Category:British female characters in soap operas