clare bates, played by gemma bissix, appears from 1993 to 1998, and again in 2008. she first left the serial with her screen stepfather nigel bates, when his actor paul bradley opted to leave. after a ten-year hiatus, bissix returned to the role on 1 february 2008. the character was transformed from "cute and sweet" into a gold digging "maneater", chasing wealthy men for their money. the british media focused on the character's penchant for revealing clothing, and while she was praised by some critics, it was suggested that she was underused upon her return. bissix again left "eastenders" at the end of her contract in the summer of 2008. her departing episode first aired on 7 august 2008.