Jon Lee Returns to EastEnders After 29 Years!

star Jon Lee is returning to 29 years after his forgotten stint on the soap.

The singer, 44, played Josh Saunders for 20 episodes in 1997 and now he is returning to the role nearly three decades later to bid farewell to Nigel Bates.

Nigel (Paul Bradley) died after a battle with dementia, ending his 34-year time on the show. Jon's character Josh is the son of Nigel's ex-wife Julie.

Speaking to The Sun, Jon said: 'It was quite surreal stepping back on to Albert Square after so many years as it's so familiar to so many of us. It was lovely to see my onscreen family again'.

The family have reunited to say goodbye to Nigel after his death on Wednesday. 

A source said: 'It was so important for EastEnders fans that important people in Nigel's past returned for the funeral and Josh is a part of that. He has already filmed his scenes and they will air soon.'

Jon joined S Club 7 at just 15 years old, shortly after appearing on EastEnders.

The singer's appearance on the soap will be his return to the small screen since he appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2025.

The singer met hairdresser Jordan Fairhurst on the E4 show but they broke up after six months of dating.

After leaving the process they began a long-distance relationship as Jon lives in Cornwall and Jordan in Merseyside. 

A source told The Sun: 'The distance became too much for Jon and Jordan, they are both so busy and the travelling became too difficult.

'There's no bad blood at all between them, it was a joint decision.' 

The former couple have since unfollowed one another on social media.

Jordan was Jon's first relationship in six years and on the first episode of Celebs Go Dating, Jon opened up about being celibate throughout this period.

In his opening VT, he said: 'I've been single for six years and in that time I've been celibate as well.'

Speaking about his 'ideal man', he said: 'Someone who is a bit rough around the edges but seems like a quiet, nice and fun guy.'

Jon previously revealed to the Daily Mail that his Celebs Go Dating stint followed a series of 'traumatic' dating experiences which saw him nearly swear off finding love for good.

He said: 'I thought [after] my last relationship, I was just like, 'I'm done', I just really did not want to date at all.

'I thought I was very happy being single, I was single for six years, very, very happily single for six years. 

'You know when it's just traumatic, you're just like, 'I don't want to do that anymore', so yeah, it was kind of a big thing for me to come and do this. 

'My mate said, 'If you don't do this, you're going to end up single forever'.'

His friend's advice gave him the courage he needed to make his last do or die attempt at romance on Celebs Go Dating.

'It was sort of like… what can really go wrong? So, I thought I might as well give it one last hurrah', Jon explained.