For years, EastEnders fans have begged for the return of one of the soap’s most unforgettable icons — Barry Evans, the lovable, unlucky-in-

love character portrayed by actor Shaun Williamson. And now, as whispers of a major comeback circulate around Albert Square, Shaun has

finally opened up about the truth behind a possible return… and the heartbreak tied to it.

 

 

While viewers remember Barry’s comic timing, romantic misfortunes, and that infamous cliffside death, many don’t know the emotional weight that storyline still carries for Shaun Williamson himself. In a new, unexpected revelation, the actor admits that his relationship with the show — and the dramatic exit that still haunts fans today — left deep wounds he has carried for two decades.

 

 

And those wounds might affect whether he returns at all.

The Death That Broke Soap History — And the Actor Behind It

Barry Evans’ death remains one of the most shocking EastEnders moments ever filmed. In 2004, Janine Butcher pushed Barry during a heated argument on the cliffside, sending him tumbling to his tragic end. The scene became iconic… but for Shaun Williamson, it also became a moment that defined — and limited — his career for years.

 

 

“It was heartbreaking,” Shaun recently confessed. “Barry wasn’t just a character I played — he was part of my life for nine years. Saying goodbye the way it happened… it still hits me harder than people realise.”

While fans embraced the dramatic exit, Shaun says he struggled for a long time with the reality that he was leaving behind a character he deeply loved. And now, nearly 20 years later, the emotional weight of that loss still lingers as the BBC reportedly considers bringing Barry back in a shocking new twist.

Is Barry Really Dead? Shaun Finally Speaks Out

Soap fans know one rule: if there’s no body, there’s always a possibility.

Barry may have died on screen, but many viewers have long theorized that the character could have survived — and that a twisty return could shake up the Mitchells, the Butchers, and the entire Square.

When pressed about the rumors, Shaun didn’t deny them. But his response carried something deeper than simple excitement.

“There’s always been talk,” he admitted. “But for me, returning isn’t just about stepping back into Barry’s shoes. It’s about reopening a chapter that ended in a very painful way.”

That emotional confession has left many fans wondering:
Is Shaun afraid of losing Barry all over again?

The Heartbreak Shaun Still Feels for Barry Evans

In his interview, Shaun revealed something fans never expected — he didn’t want Barry to die.

“I wasn’t ready to say goodbye,” he said with surprising honesty. “Barry still had so much story to tell. I felt he deserved a happier ending, or at least a chance to rebuild his life.”