Debbie Bates

Debbie Bates
EastEnders character
Portrayed byNicola Duffett
Duration1993–1995, 2025
First appearanceEpisode 867
25 May 1993 (1993-05-25)
Last appearanceEpisode 7246
23 December 2025 (2025-12-23)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byLeonard Lewis (1993)
Ben Wadey (2025)
In-universe information
OccupationBookmaker cashier
MotherMaxine Palmer
HusbandLiam Tyler (until 1993)
Nigel Bates (1994–1995)
DaughtersClare Bates
GranddaughtersBella

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 both May and December 2025 as a cameo in a vision within Nigel Bates' mind as part of his dementia storyline.