EastEnders have revealed five people will be leaving the show - but fans say they are "not emotionally ready" for their favourites to leave and one has even started a campaign to bring one back20:03, 20 May 2026Updated 20:03, 20 May 2026EastEnders have revealed that five of their characters are leaving Walford. In tonight's episode, the soap said a final goodbye to Nigel Bates - but now fans have to get ready to say farewell to even more characters.‌Scenes airing on 20 May revealed that Nigel's wife Julie, played by Karen Henthorn, was struggling to stick around in Walford. She had only moved there from Scotland, where she had lived with Nigel for decades, because she wanted to be around her husband as his health deteriorated.‌After the funeral, she told Phil Mitchell that she wanted to remember Nigel being happy and healthy, adding: "And the place I have those memories is back home."‌READ MORE: EastEnders 'confirm' Sam Mitchell exit - and she won't be leaving aloneREAD MORE: Danny Dyer responds to Traitors comparisons as he defends new TV show that starts this weekendJulie was supported in this episode by her son Josh Sanderson and her stepdaughter Clare Bates. Clare had previously returned to the show amid her father's battle with dementia and returned again, with her stepbrother in tow, for the funeral. EastEnders have been clear that this is flying visit and the two are only guest starring rather than back permanently. As such, they are set to leave too.Meanwhile, as teased in episode spoilers, the events of tonight's episode - in which the Mitchells come together not only to say goodbye to Nigel but to save Mark Fowler from gangster Russell Delaney - sparks the exits of Sam and Grant Mitchell.‌In upcoming episodes, Grant appears set to return to Portugal and Sam will suggest joining him, setting up her eventual exit too. Sam and Grant's returns were always listed as temporary and therefore their exits are less of a shock to fans than Julie's.Julie's imminent departure has left some fans devastated. One launched a "campaign" for her to return, even though she hasn't actually left yet. They said: "Campaign to bring back Julie Bates NOW." In response, one fan said: "The square wouldn't be the same without ar Julie." Another added: "The fact we're losing Julie and Sam at the same time. This is awful."‌A fourth said: "Julie and Phil were fantastic as ever. Guessing by the sounds of their chat outside during the wake, Julie might be leaving soon. It probably makes sense, but I'd love to see her stick around longer, Karen Henthorn's been amazing."Another begged Karen to stay, saying: "I'm not emotionally ready to say goodbye to Julie tomorrow. Karen Henthorn, PLEASE DON'T GO!!!!!!!!!"Article continues belowA different fan said that it seemed like Julie would be leaving with Josh and Clare in the next episode and hoped that her exit was soundtracked by Julia's Theme - a piece of music often reserved for the exits of important characters. They said: "It'll be the send off she deserves."Julia's Theme was first used in the BBC soap's first year, 1985, when Ian Beale cried in front of his grandmother Lou. It has been used a total of 76 times - 38 of which were deaths or exits, such as Nana Moon dying in Alfie's arms and Cindy Beale leaving daughter Lucy behind as she fled to Italy with sons Steven and Peter. The most recent use was when Nigel passed away following his battle with dementia.For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.