This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on iPlayer.
Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has rediscovered a damning secret about wife Julie (Karen Henthorn), placing their marriage into jeopardy.
As viewers of the soap know, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is acting as Nige’s carer after he uncovered his plans to commit suicide.
Having returned to Albert Square at Christmas, we saw the 90s legend at his absolute lowest following a young-onset dementia diagnosis, and given his estrangement from Julie, he has nobody to support him.
Nigel’s memory has been rapidly declining across the last nine months, and after finally settling into a routine, this was completely upended by her arrival in July.
She and Phil have struggled to see eye to eye, constantly bickering over what’s best for Nige’.
However, in today’s episode, it seemed that Phil had gained the upper hand when Nigel’s relationship with Julie fell apart.
How long have Nigel and Julie been together in EastEnders?
Actress Karen Henthorn has reprised her role following a 27-year absence – which means their love story goes wayback.
The two first met at Walford Comprehensive, where she worked as his adoptive daughter Clare’s (Gemma Bissix) teacher. Clare was also dating Julie’s son Josh (Jon Lee of S Club fame).
Nige’ grew closer to Julie, and the group moved to Scotland together in 1998.
They married two years after their exit, and stayed together until his dementia diagnosis.
He chose not to tell her, fleeing from the family home so that she wouldn’t have to care for her.
What has Nigel learnt about Julie?
Last week we saw her rushing out of the room to take a mysterious phone call, something which continued in today’s ep.
She was walking through the Square behaving suspiciously, and Nigel had clocked the odd behaviour.
Disaster then struck when the couple’s beloved chickens were eaten by a fox. It became apparent that Nigel had forgotten to close the gate to their coop the night before.
Julie was heartbroken, and it brought back memories of a rough patch they went through.
Nigel was none the wiser to what she meant, having forgotten that some years ago, she cheated on him.
Suddenly, a huge argument broke out, and he accused her of cheating again due to the multitude of phone calls she’s taken in the last week.
Julie insisted that she was innocent, and that they actually related to a job she was applying for at a nearby school, but he wasn’t convinced. Phil tried to diffuse the situation, but the damage had already been done.
Nigel instructs Phil to take him away
Julie said she’d applied for the job so that she could support her husband’s care plan, and be able to pay her own way in the Mitchell residence.
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Phil was insistent that she didn’t owe him anything, while Nige’ wanted to pay for his care himself.
With tensions more fraught than ever before, Nigel asked his mate to take him away to the countryside for a day out – with his eyes set on something that would help secure his future.
When the two arrived at Wrenhill Lodge, a beautiful, secluded bed and breakfast in the middle of nowhere, Nigel had a fresh outlook.
He was also on the lookout for buried treasure – something that will help with his care plan.
What is Nigel looking for?
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