Jon Lee Returns to EastEnders After 29 Years for Nigel Bates Funeral | S Club 7 Star

Jon Lee Makes a Triumphant Return to EastEnders After Nearly 30 Years

S Club 7 star Jon Lee is heading back to Albert Square, reprising his role as Josh Saunders in EastEnders almost three decades after his original stint in the late 1990s. The news has excited longtime fans of the BBC soap and the iconic 90s/2000s pop group alike.

From Pop Star to Walford Resident: Jon Lee's EastEnders Journey

Born in 1982, Jon Lee first appeared in EastEnders as a teenager in 1997–1998, playing Josh Saunders, the son of Julie Bates (played by Karen Haywood). He featured in around 20 episodes during that period, making him a brief but memorable part of the Bates family storyline alongside on-screen stepfather Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley).

While many viewers primarily remember Lee as one of the lead singers of S Club 7—known for hits like "Bring It All Back," "S Club Party," and "Don't Stop Movin'"—his early acting roots in the soap have now come full circle. At just 15–16 years old during his first run, the young performer balanced pop stardom with soap acting.

Emotional Return for Nigel Bates' Funeral

In a poignant full-circle moment, Lee is returning in 2026 for the funeral of beloved character Nigel Bates, who recently passed away following a moving young-onset dementia storyline. Josh will reunite with his on-screen family, including Gemma Bissix reprising her role as Clare Bates.

Lee described the experience as "surreal" stepping back onto the EastEnders set and reuniting with his "onscreen family" after 29 years. The guest stint forms part of an emotional farewell to one of the soap's longer-running characters, promising heartfelt scenes as loved ones gather in Walford.

What Fans Can Expect

Expect touching family moments as Josh pays respects to Nigel, alongside Clare. With EastEnders known for blending high emotion and drama, these episodes are likely to deliver powerful performances and plenty of Walford nostalgia.

Whether you're a die-hard EastEnders viewer, an S Club 7 fan, or both, Jon Lee's return is a feel-good (if bittersweet) event for the soap in 2026. Keep an eye on BBC One and iPlayer for the exact air dates of these special episodes.

Jon Lee EastEnders return — a perfect blend of pop history and soap legacy that's sure to spark conversations across social media.