EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders’ Mitchell family will battle with their individual demons next week, with both Phil and Lexi facing rough times, and Callum Highway stepping up to support them. Callum’s fears begin with Phil, as the head of the Mitchell clan struggles with the weight of caring for Nigel Bates…
Phil has been looking after his best friend Nigel for over a year now, as he continues to deteriorate amid his dementia diagnosis. Phil has struggled with the idea of Nigel being moved to a care home, and this week hid from Nigel’s wife Julie that he had been offered a place.
But after renewing his wedding vows in an emotional ceremony, Nigel faced life-threatening danger when he almost drowned in the bath, while Phil was arguing with Mark downstairs.
Phil was forced to face facts in the hospital, and once he told Julie about the care home, the pair decided together that they would accept the place that had come up for Nigel.
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“Between his younger sister Sam’s cancer, Mark’s violent return to the Square and Nigel’s declining health, Phil has had a lot to deal with,” says our EastEnders source.
“It wasn’t too long ago that Phil himself was contending with depression and was admitted to a mental health facility, so Callum feels that someone should be looking out for him as Phil’s commitments to Nigel put a strain on his own wellbeing.”
Rallying the family next week, Callum asks that they support Phil with his mounting responsibilities – but things get worse for Phil when he comes face-to-face with Jake Moon! As Jake tries to lay the howling ghosts of his past to rest, Phil offers some sage advice…
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“Phil and Jake have a complex history to say the least – but remember, Jake shot his own brother to save Phil’s life,” our insider reminds us.
“Now older and wiser, Phil advises Jake to do right by his cousin Alfie. Phil is playing therapist to half of Walford at this point – he deserves someone to listen to him…”
Phil isn’t the only Mitchell in crisis either, as young Lexi is left feeling upset by a life change that upends her world. Can the Mitchells support each other in their time of need?
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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