EastEnders legend confirms sad reason he said yes to come...

EastEnders legend confirms sad reason he said yes to comeback after 21 years

Joshua Halm Published December 1, 2025 9:31am Updated December 1, 2025 9:31am Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Barry Evans, dressed in a sparkly blazer with his arm around Nigel Bates in EastEnders.

Barry Evans, dressed in a sparkly blazer with his arm around Nigel Bates in EastEnders.

Barry’s back! (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders fans rejoiced when the soap Gods bestowed the gift of a Barry Evans return upon them, and now actor, Shaun Williamson, has revealed why the storyline behind his comeback is so personal to him.

Bumbling Barry became Janine Butcher’s (Charlie Brooks) first victim 21 years ago, firmly establishing her as one of the baddest baddies in Walford when she shoved him off a cliff and, rather than calling for help amid his pleas to be reunited with his son, watched him die.

If only he’d worn slip on shoes, eh?

Shaun spoke out at the time about his sheer joy at returning to his iconic role: ‘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. Just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner!’

A personal reason for a legendary return

Shaun Williamson pictured as Barry Evans in EastEnders

Shaun has opened up about his personal connection to the storyline (Picture: BBC)

As confirmed last month, Barry and his equally-iconic stepmum, Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) will both reappear as Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) dementia storyline takes centre stage as his altered-reality takes him back to the 90’s.

In an interview with the Sun, Shaun opened up on his very personal connection to the storyline: ‘It felt incredibly personal for me. My mum passed away after getting dementia. We lost her in 2022. That’s why I thought returning was such a great idea, and why the story hit me so deeply.’

Speaking further on the last few years of his beloved mum’s life, Shaun continued: ‘Covid was especially hard on her — mainly due to the lack of social interaction. We did everything we could as a family to support her, but she then suffered a stroke and we lost her.

‘I wanted to raise awareness because in 30 to 40 years’ time it’s predicted that dementia cases will have doubled. That’s a frightening thought.’

Barry back from the dead

Janine Butcher pushing Barry Evans off a cliff

Barry met his end at the hands of Janine (Picture: BBC)

Shaun revealed that since his alter-ego’s clifftop demise, he’s been repeatedly bugged about whether or not Barry could return. Death in soap is easily reversible, right? Walford alone has seen Den Watts, Kathy and Cindy Beale all rise from the grave!

‘I’ve always thought it impossible. Janine had him cremated in Scotland, Pat brought the ashes back, it would just be ridiculous. I certainly wouldn’t recreate a Dallas-type episode where Bobby Ewing returns from the dead, getting out of the shower, wrapped in a towel.

‘EastEnders would lose about another million viewers if I did that!’

Barry Evans, lying dead at the foot of a cliff

Shaun didn’t forsee a Bobby Ewing resurrection for Barry… (Picture: BBC)

‘But Barry’s return is credible. It is in an empty pub but, in Nigel’s mind, it’s full of his old mates and there’s a karaoke going on. It’s beautifully written. It was just Nigel, Pat and his ex-wife, Debbie, who was played by Nicola Duffett.

‘It was just great to be back working with these fabulous actors again.’

In a very ‘Barry’ turn of events, however, Shaun admits to some difficulties on his first day back when he couldn’t find the new entrance to the studios.

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‘I was driving around looking for it and I was late,’ he laughed. ‘But as soon as I got on the set of The Queen Vic, it was magic. It was like I’d never been away.’

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