Soapland is absolutely brimming with iconic families who have brought us explosive storylines down the years.
EastEnders has the Mitchells, Corrie has the Barlows and the Platts. While in Emmerdale we the Dingle clan but it is another family from the past we are turning our attention to.
We are going to delve back in time to see what happened to the Bates family. They were a mainstay on the soap for over a decade but no longer a presence in the ITV show.
Read more: The Emmerdale stars who have appeared in major Hollywood films
As you'll see some of them have had interesting careers and lives since leaving Emmerdale. We know many fans would particularly like to see the return of Kathy one day.
Have a scroll and enjoy a stroll down memory lane as we remember the highs and lows of the Bates family. You can also see what they are up to these days.
Malcolm Bates
Originally played by Anthony Schaeffer before being replaced by Tom Adams, who had the role between 1987 and 1991. Malcolm Bates was dad of Nick and Kathy Bates. Malcolm was always combative and objected to Kathy marrying Jackie Merrick. However, Jackie and Kathy married in 1988. Malcolm reluctantly gave a speech at the reception, but Jackie was killed a year later. Malcolm made one more appearance in the village in 1991 for Kathy's second wedding to Chris Tate.
Actor Tom died aged 76 in 2014. After Emmerdale, he appeared in Casualty and Focus North. Earlier in his career, he’s arguably best-known for appearances in films The Great Escape and the James Bond-like action comedy Licensed to Kill.
Caroline Bates
Caroline Bates is the mother of Kathy and Nick Bates and the former secretary of Alan Turner at Home Farm. When Caroline’s relationship with Malcolm ended she later nearly married Alan. Instead, Caroline left the village in 1989 and actress Diana Davies returned to reprise the role quite frequently. Caroline last appeared in Emmerdale back in 1999.
The Manchester actress appeared in The Vice after leaving Emmerdale. She’s previously appeared in Heartbeat, Where The Heart Is and the original TV run of All Creatures Great and Small.
Kathy Bates
Down the years, Kathy had too many surname changes for us to list because of various marriage breakdowns. But at last tally she is known in the show as Kathy Brookman. Kathy, played by Malandra Burrows, had relationships with Jackie Merrick, Chris Tate and Dave Glover amongst others.
Kathy left the village in 2001 but has reappeared down the years. The last occasion being in 2005 when the character was involved in how the show handled the death of the popular Seth Armstrong - following the death of actor Stan Richards in real life. Away from Emmerdale, Malandra has enjoyed a singing career, appeared in many theatre productions and also appeared in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! back in 2006. Fans of the show often campaign for Kathy’s return.
Nick Bates
Nick first arrived in Beckindale in 1985, to visit his mother Caroline, whom he hadn't seen for a couple of years as he had become estranged from her due to Nick's constant fighting with his alcoholic father Malcolm. The character was played by Cy Chadwick. Nick was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter of poacher Jed Connell back in 1996, although the character did reappear in 1999 when Kathy went to visit him in prison.
Away from Emmerdale, the Leeds actor has enjoyed a successful career behind the camera. He’s directed the Winter Walks documentary series while he’s also produced that show and a Yorkshire Walks programme.
You can find out the latest Emmerdale news and features by visiting our homepage dedicated to the ITV soap. You will also find lots of gossip about the ITV soap there too.
