EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (1 April), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
EastEnders has aired a worrying health twist for Nicola Mitchell, in a dramatic week where she takes centre stage. This week pregnant Nicola found herself in a lot of pain and was taken to the hospital, where she was thankfully told that her baby was fine.
She was distracted by other events, as this week she clocked Penny’s suspicious behaviour following her own pregnancy scan. Nicola realised that her son Harry could be the father of Penny’s baby, not Vinny – so she urged Penny to get a DNA test, or else she will expose this paternity secret.
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As George prepared for the launch of restaurant Knight Fusion in today’s episode, Nicola’s mind was elsewhere. She confronted Penny and urged her to get a DNA test today, and issued another stern threat when Penny refused.
Penny talked things through with Lauren and Oscar and concluded that she can’t take a test, as she doesn’t want to ruin her future with Vinny and her friendship with Gina if it was revealed that Harry is the father.
At Harry’s Barn, Nicola experienced sharp stomach pains as Penny arrived to confirm that she won’t be taking a DNA test. Penny reminded Nicola that Harry would turn his back on her if she blew up his relationship with Gina and could even turn back to drugs.
As triumphant Penny went to leave, Nicola’s pain continued, and Penny insisted on calling Harry to come over. When Harry turned up, he was keen to take his mum to hospital, but Nicola refused – and decided to instead go home to rest and run a bath.
Later, the Knight Fusion launch got underway with George at the helm, safe in the knowledge that Nicola was at home chilling out.
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Meanwhile, despite getting the upper hand over Nicola earlier, Penny knew that things were far from over and that until she proves that Harry isn’t the dad of her baby, she is just buying time.
Back at home, Nicola went downstairs to get water but suddenly dropped the glass when she was overwhelmed by pain and was left fearing that something is seriously wrong with her baby.
This marks the start of a harrowing new storyline for Nicola and George, as she goes into premature labour in tomorrow’s episode.
EastEnders is working on Nicola and George’s story with support from Bliss, a charity that supports the families of babies born premature or sick in the UK. Support and information are available via the charity’s website.
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.