EastEnders fans ‘totally heartbroken’ as Nigel Bates leaves Albert Square in ‘devastating’ scenes

Nigel’s dementia has worsened over recent months on the BBC soap

EastEnders fans have been left ‘totally heartbroken’ as Nigel Bates left Albert Square in ‘devastating’ scenes on the BBC soap.

Returning to Albert Square in 2024, Nigel initially said his wife Julie left him, only for it to later emerge that he ran away from home after fearing he was becoming a burden to his family due to his memory loss.

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Living with Phil, who is his carer, Nigel was stunned during the summer when Julie arrived in Walford and brought him home to Scotland. Eventually realising this wasn’t the right thing to do, Nigel and Julie have been living in Phil’s house amid fears his condition was worsening.

Back at Christmas, Nigel began hallucinating people in his life who have died over the years, including Pat Butcher, Barry Evans and his first wife Debbie. On top of this, Nigel started to hit Julie which led her and Phil to decide to put him in a care home.

Last month saw Nigel rushed to hospital after Phil became distracted and left Nigel in the bath on his own, with him nearly drowning as a result. This week has seen Nigel’s condition get so bad, Julie called on his step-daughter Clare Bates to come to Walford.

Clare was left heartbroken when Nigel failed to recognise her in the hospital, instead thinking Lexi Pearse was his late wife’s Clare’s daughter. Fans were stunned when Nigel disappeared from the hospital without a trace.

It turned out in scenes aired on Thursday (March 5), that Clare and Lexi organised a heartwarming party for Nigel in the Queen Vic after discharging him from hospital. Once there, everyone took turns telling their favourite memories involving the former video shop owner.

Cindy Beale brought up the famous episode where Nigel woke up in a field thinking he was in France during Ricky Butcher’s stag party, while barperson Tracey recalled when she introduced him to Debbie.

Phil and Julie were furious when they finally tracked Nigel down, but soon put their anger to the side for Nigel’s sake. Nigel finally recognised Clare after Julie reminded him about when she came into his life.

Receiving a round of applause as they drove off to the care home, Nigel became confused by the new scenery, punching Clare in the lip and screaming at Phil. Clare was so sad that she decided she was leaving Walford again.

In a heartbreaking ending, Julie broke down in tears as she packed away her husband’s belongings into a suitcase. The episode ended with Phil telling Nigel he loved him before leaving.

Those watching the episode at home rushed to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on one of the most emotional installments of EastEnders in recent memory.

@RyanSoapKing25 said: “Heartbreaking scenes in tonight’s #EastEnders as Nigel has his last day on Albert Square before going into the care home. Paul Bradley’s portrayal of Nigel’s dementia has been fantastic so far and so realistic. Nigel’s story hits home for a lot of people myself included.” @skinglo_afro added: “So this special episode for Nigel whew tugs at the heart strings #EastEnders.”

@Debs_1982 wrote: “I’m going to need Phil and Nigel nominated for best partnership at the very least once this year with the TV magazines awards. What an incredible partnership to watch over the last couple of years. Steve and Paul have been sublime #EastEnders.” @Kezarus1 posted: “This storyline with Nigel is hitting hard. Not that far off what we went through with my Grandad.”

@geordiegalg commented: “I feel totally broken by today’s episode. Just so sad seeing how quickly Nigel has worsened. The storyline has been done brilliantly and everyone involved as been amazing but it’s a tough watch.” @SamMitchellEE20 noted: “One thing I think we can all take from today’s EastEnders is some of the nurses in these care homes across the country are heroes and have hearts of gold.”