Last appearing on the programme in 2004, Shaun Williamson, sometimes known as “Barry from EastEnders,” will make his return to Albert Square for a one-off special.
He left the programme after his on-screen wife Janine Butcher revealed all to him about her affair with Paul Trueman.
During the scene, she told Barry Evans that their marriage was a sham as he begged her not to go.
She then pushed him, causing him to fall off a cliff and hit his head, resulting in his death.
Shaun Williamson returning to EastEnders as Barry Evans despite being killed off
In the coming weeks, Barry will return to Walford alongside Pat. During this time, Nigel Bates’s dementia symptoms will worsen, forcing the pair, who have had a tense relationship, to work together to help him out.
The EastEnders episode has been produced in close collaboration with Dementia UK.
Speaking about his return to the BBC show, Barry Evans actor Shaun Williamson, 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. Just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner!”
Executive producer, Ben Wadey, commented: “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.”
When asked if he would ever return from the dead to star in the show again, he said: “It would have to be a hell of a storyline”.
Announcing the news, the BBC said: “Another Albert Square legend is heading back to Walford this December, as Shaun Williamson reprises his iconic role of Barry Evans for a special episode in Nigel’s dementia storyline.
“Although it’s been over 21 years since Barry last stepped foot in Walford, his character remains etched into the history of the show for his inherent bad luck, hopeless love-life, and epic feud with step-mother Pat Evans, who he refused to forgive following her affair with Frank Butcher, which he believed to be the root cause of his beloved dad’s death.
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“After a series of failed romances, Barry thought he had finally found his match when he married Walford’s Janine Butcher, but their relationship proved to be most fateful of all, and by unknowingly making a wardrobe faux pas by not wearing slip on shoes, Barry fell to his untimely death in 2004 when Janine pushed him off a cliff.
“Barry appears alongside step-mother Pat in The Queen Vic when Nigel’s dementia symptoms intensify, and although their relationship was fraught in the land of the living, Pat and Barry put aside their differences to help Nigel in his time of need.
“The special episode will transmit in December, and EastEnders has been working with Dementia UK on Nigel’s storyline since its inception.”
