liam tyler, played by francis magee, is the biological father of clare bates (gemma bissix) and the former husband of debbie bates (nicola duffett). liam first appears not long after debbie and clare arrive in albert square, having tracked them down after he had been abusing debbie. liam does everything in his power to split up debbie and her new love interest, nigel bates (paul bradley), but his efforts fail. liam returns to the square again after debbie's sudden death in 1995, attempting to gain custody of clare. clare wants to stay with nigel and a court case ensues, nigel ultimately wins when liam's girlfriend admits that he had been abusive toward her. nigel subsequently adopts clare, who takes his surname.