debbie bates, played by nicola duffett, appears from 1993 to 1995. she was introduced as a love-interest for nigel bates (paul bradley), but was killed off in 1995 on duffett's request. duffett grew weary of playing debbie saying she became too boring and drippy, and asked the producers of "eastenders" to kill her character off in 1995, which they did; debbie was killed in a hit-and-run motor accident. duffett has commented, "i left "eastenders" of my own accord, without a shadow of a doubt. i begged to be killed. i ran to the script editor's office. every time i see him at a party he says, 'i'll never forget you.' because i ran in crying, 'kill me now! i can't stand it.' because the part was so boring. i played this simpering wimp, debbie. all i did was walk into the vic and say, 'where's nigel?'" duffett has stated that she has no regrets about leaving the role, and that she wanted her character killed so she had no opportunity to ever return as she worried about being typecast.