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EastEnders’ Nigel Bates will gain an unexpected new ally in his tragic dementia story.
Classic character Nigel made a surprise return to Walford last year, appearing in the Christmas Eve episode after 26 years away.
Viewers soon learned that Nigel had been diagnosed with young onset dementia. He revealed that he had left his wife Julie as he didn’t want her to see him deteriorate.
Nigel has already been showing signs of the memory-loss disease, from forgetting food in the oven to misremembering who people are. Currently only Phil, Grant, Yolande and Linda are aware of his diagnosis.
BBC
In next week’s scenes, Nigel’s dementia causes him to confuse the pharmacy for the old video shop he used to work in.
Jean steps in after noticing the error and takes him home to Number 55. Though Phil covers to protect Nigel, it’s clear Jean isn’t convinced.
BBC
Jean attempts to reach out to Nigel, but he continues to remain quiet about his dementia diagnosis and dismisses her concerns. Will he eventually let her in?
This isn’t the first time Phil has stepped in to protect his friend. Recent episodes saw Nigel calling the police, Sharon and Denise as he feared Phil had gone missing.
When Phil arrived home safe, he explained that he was visiting his mum’s grave and had told Nigel where he was going. Realising that Nigel had forgotten, Phil quickly covered for him in front of Sharon and Denise.
