EastEnders spoilers follow for the latest episode to air on BBC One and stream on iPlayer.
EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell has made an unexpected announcement in the latest episode, as Nigel Bates’ dementia storyline takes another sad turn following on from his Christmas revelation that he needs to go into a care home.
Nigel’s visit to one home the previous day stressed him out, which put Phil and Julie at loggerheads again: she insisted they keep looking for a more suitable place, but Phil felt like she wasn’t letting him have a say.
Later on, Nigel and Julie did a jigsaw together and she reminded him about looking for care homes, but he had no recollection of ever agreeing to that.
As he got irate over trying to make a piece fit where it wasn’t meant to go, Phil took over sitting with him.
BBC
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The two reminisced about the olden days, while Nigel looked at the jigsaw of the beach and asked if they could go.
Phil laughed off the idea, but as Nigel went to the kitchen with Julie for tea, he stewed on the idea.
Afterwards, Julie said she had rung round a few more care homes, but before Phil could interject, she said she didn’t want to have another conversation where they go round in circles and headed to bed.
A frustrated Phil told Sam that he can’t let Nigel go into a care home, stating: “He’ll think I’ve abandoned him.”
BBC
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“What’s best for Nigel is what Nigel wants,” he added, holding up two passports. “The beach!”
What will Julie say when she finds out, and will Nigel remember that his condition has gotten too bad to stay at home?
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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