Major EastEnders legend returns from the dead in early BBC iPlayer release

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.

Sadness. Outrage. Incredulity. All emotions felt by the nation when EastEnders made one of its most baffling decisions back in 2012 – killing off undisputed icon, Pat Evans (Pam St Clement), one of its most recognisable, quotable and beloved figures.

Honestly, we’re still not quite over it.

Though we did see Pat again when she was quite rightly resurrected for the death scenes of her beloved friend/worst enemy Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), our longing to hear those iconic earrings jangle one more time has never quite subsided.

Perhaps as an early Christmas present for fans, ‘Enders have resurrected her one more time, much to the nations delight, and fans have clapped eyes on the mythical matriarch for the first time in years in todays trip to Walford.

Todays instalment drove home just how much Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) dementia symptoms are intensifying. The episode opened with him seemingly lost amid the festive chaos of the Square and when Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), after collecting his friends suit from the laundrette, caught up with him, Nigel asked about Pat, Roy (Tony Caunter) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson).

Though Phil told him they’d ‘gone’, Nigel still insisted that he needed a taxi. Phil gently coaxed him home, before finding Julie (Karen Henthorn) on the phone to a care home, making enquiries about what they could offer her husband.

Phil would have none of it, though, despite Julie’s protestations that Nigel’s condition was beginning to frighten her and the amount of makeup she’d applied to hide the black eye he’d left her with while in a state of confusion. The two eventually reached a stalemate, with Phil completely unwilling to consider alternative provisions for his friend.

When the conversation picked up later, Julie admitted that she couldn’t see herself ever letting Nigel go into a care home, but she is struggling with how rapidly he’s deteriorating. She voiced her fears that the première of his film later would prove to be too stressful for him, though Phil was unwilling to consider cancelling.

As Nigel entered the kitchen, looking dapper in his première tuxedo, his symptoms reared their head again as, after an initial burst of confusion, he wet himself. While Julie hurried him upstairs to clean up, Phil looked torn.

At the première, amid director-extraordinaire Lexi Pearce’s (Isabella Brown) attempts to ensure all progressed smoothly, Nigel struggled when called to make his speech.

Though Julie darted up to help, the bright light of the projector did nothing but highlight the bruising on her face.

She desperately tried to cover when Nigel asked how it happened, though upon realising he’d caused it, he was stricken with shame. Unable to continue with the festivities, Nigel ran, followed closely by both Julie and Phil.

As Nigel hid away in an alcove, Julie and Phil again came to blows about the prospect of him being placed into a care home, and, overhearing them, he panicked, confronting his best friend and wife over their potential plans.

Though they reassured him that there was no intention of anything changing, he pleaded with them to give him some time alone.

Though worried, they agreed, and, becoming confused again, he headed to the car lot, in search of Pat and Roy, and, again, looking to book a taxi. As the camera swung and took us into the reality Nigel is experiencing, he headed toward the Queen Vic, entering to find a decidedly 90’s style Christmas party.

‘What do you have to do to get a taxi in this place?’ Nigel wondered aloud.

‘…and a very merry Christmas to you n’all, sweetheart!’ came the reply from a voice that is sure to send waves of euphoric nostalgia through the hearts of many. As Nigel turned his head, Pat offered a chuckle and a wave as the ‘duff duff’ rolled in.

Absolutely glorious.

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