EastEnders’ Nigel Bates was left fighting for his life after a near-drowning in the bath on Thursday
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
16:09, 05 Feb 2026
EastEnders legend Nigel Bates’ real age revealed after devastating bath twist(Image: BBC)
EastEnders‘ Nigel Bates, portrayed by Paul Bradley, is currently grappling with dementia in a series of heart-wrenching scenes – but how old is the character?
This week saw Nigel and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) renew their wedding vows in a touching ceremony. Following this, Julie made the decision for them to move back in with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), despite their recent disagreement.
Phil attempted, unsuccessfully, to inform Julie about Nigel securing a place in a care home. However, he was soon sidetracked upon discovering that it was Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) who had revealed Phil’s secret plan to whisk Nigel off to Portugal.
As Phil and Mark engaged in a heated argument in the kitchen, Nigel was left unattended in the bath on Wednesday (February 4), leading to a near-drowning incident.
In Thursday’s episode (February 5), now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, Phil realised his friend had been left alone and rushed upstairs to find Nigel unconscious in the bath, reports OK!.
Phil Mitchell found his friend Nigel Bates unconscious(Image: BBC)
READ MORE: Does Nigel die in EastEnders? Soap fans left fearing the worst after deadly cliffhangerREAD MORE: EastEnders legend and Coronation Street star dies aged 104 after over 50 years on screen
Phil and Mark swiftly pulled Nigel from the water, with Phil administering chest compressions while Mark called for an ambulance.
At the hospital, a doctor confirmed that Nigel was in a “stable” condition, but wanted to keep him overnight to ensure all the water had been removed from his lungs.
“He’s sleeping now. He was panicking so we gave him a sedative… We need to be satisfied all the water has left his lungs and there’s no risk of aspiration pneumonitis,” the consultant explained.
“When water enters the lungs, it can inflame them, so they fill with fluid… It can happen, especially with a near fatal drowning and he’s particularly vulnerable to the effects of infection, because of his dementia… Your husband very nearly died, Mrs Bates, so this really is the best place for him to be right now.”
Later on, Julie was livid when Phil admitted that he had withheld information about Nigel’s care home placement. However, they soon reconciled, with Julie agreeing to secure the care home spot before it was too late – marking a poignant turning point in Nigel’s heartwrenching storyline.
Julie accepted a care home place for her husband(Image: BBC)
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website
As Nigel’s health continues to decline, soap fans might be curious about the character’s actual age. Born on 25th May 1958, Nigel is currently 67 years old, while actor Paul Bradley is 70.
Upon discovering Nigel’s fate in the latest episode, numerous soap fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their sorrow over the character’s worsening condition.
“Nigel’s story is absolutely heartbreaking. Paul, Steve and Karen are simply phenomenal. I was in tears by the end of today’s episode,” one viewer shared, while another added: “This story is just so devastating.”
A third viewer confessed: “Omg I was actually nearly about to cry last night when Nigel went down in his bath. I thought that was the end. Thank the LORD Phil realised and came to his aid!” Another fan chimed in, saying: “The Nigel, Julie and Phil scenes are always absolutely brilliantly done. This storyline has been so heartbreaking to watch.”
Another viewer agreed, stating: “For anyone caring for someone with advancing dementia, this Nigel/Phil/Julie storyline is a hard watch. The overwhelming pressure, guilt and trying to do the right thing are spot on. Dementia is such a cruel disease.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am
More information about dementia is available via organisations including the NHS and Dementia UK