EastEnders’ fans hearts have been breaking for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), as his dementia symptoms slowly but surely intensify, forcing his primary carers, wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and best friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), to consider alternate arrangements to ensure he’s properly supported.
Phil had, until this point, been reluctant to consider the option of involving carers or moving Nigel to a facility, intent on him remaining within his home, convinced that he can provide the care he requires.
Julie, meanwhile, knows that Nigel is deteriorating and will continue to do so. His symptoms will only get worse as he valiantly battles the disease and she’s fully aware that they’ll need specialist intervention sooner rather than later.
When Nigel realises that, in a moment of confusion, he’s hurt Julie, he flees from the screening of his film project. As Phil and Julie bicker over how best to manage him, Nigel overhears, locking himself in the Vic while his perception of reality crumbles.
While Nigel hallucinates Pat and Barry Evans (Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson), Phil realises that Julie is right: Nigel is becoming far more unwell than he can handle alone.
Nigel later sees to it that Phil, Julie and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) all have a wonderful Christmas dinner, although the following week, there’s another sad incident, when Nigel mistakes Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) for Julie.
As Phil and Julie spend the afternoon looking at potential care homes, they entrust Nigel’s wellbeing to Honey and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).
Billy is bemused, however, when it becomes increasingly clear that Nigel thinks Honey is Julie and begins to put the moves on her. There’s a mixture of amusement and genuine sadness as Nigel attempts to get ‘Julie’ to fall in love with him all over again.
As Nigel and Honey partake in a dance in the Vic, it’s a bittersweet moment for all.
Will Phil and Julie find a suitable premises for Nigel?
