BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 29 Apr 2026, 20:04 By Claire Crick 29 Apr 2026, 20:04 As Nigel makes his heartbreaking exit from EastEnders, Paul Bradley reveals the surprising keepsake he took from set Paul Bradley kept the best Nigel memento ever... Grant Mitchell Julie Bates Nigel Bates Phil Mitchell Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 29 Apr 2026, 20:04 By Claire Crick 29 Apr 2026, 20:04 Today’s EastEnders was a tough watch as Nigel said his final farewells and took his last breath. But as EastEnders fans mourn a soap legend, Paul Bradley, who has played Nigel since 1992, has revealed what memento he took from the set… and it might surprise you! Today’s EastEnders saw Nigel and Phil reunited for a brief time (Credit: BBC) Nigel said a sad farewell to EastEnders As Grant struggled to get Phil to leave the beach and return to Walford to see Nigel before it was too late, Julie was at the care home saying her own goodbye. Knowing that Nigel was close to the end, Julie let everyone know. Yolande, Sam, Linda, Callum and Lexi all came to say their final farewell to Nigel. But still Phil stayed away. Phil and Grant hit out at one another, both consumed by their grief and taking it out on each other. But eventually they shared a heart-to-heart, and Phil admitted he couldn’t leave the beach until he found the perfect skimming stone for Nigel. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Grant was oblivious to the sentiment behind the stone. Phil explained that it was a stone Nigel had kept from his childhood that reminded him of his father. Eventually, Phil found the perfect stone, and it was a race against time to get back to Walford. Thankfully, Phil made it back just in time. And it turned out that Nigel was holding on to see his best friend one last time. As Phil gave Nigel the skimming stone, he closed his hand around it, and Phil had fulfilled Nigel’s one last wish.Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Phil finally found the words to tell Nigel exactly how he felt about him. He told him that he loved him and that he’d been the best friend he’d ever had. We were then taken back to the beach, this time with Nigel and Phil. They talked about everything from his childhood to the full story behind the skimming stone. Before he passed away, Nigel wanted to make sure Phil would be okay, and Phil promised that he would look after himself. Happy with Phil’s final promise, Nigel walked towards the sea to skim his stone. He then reverted to being a little boy on the beach with his dad. Back in the care home, the stone fell from Nigel’s hand as he slipped away, leaving Phil and Julie sobbing. Phil got back just in time to say his farewell (Credit: BBC) Paul Bradley’s poignant keepsake While it is going to take fans a while to get used to Walford without Nigel in it, Paul Bradley made sure he took a memento from the set that would remind him of his time on EastEnders. While it would make sense if Paul had kept one of Nigel’s jazzy ties or cosy cardigans, what he actually kept is much more poignant… “When I was first in EastEnders, they used to give you the brass plaque that was on your dressing room door, and I’ve kept that. I was going to put it on my dressing room door this time, but I couldn’t find it. Although, of course, I’ve found it now!” he shared. “I didn’t take anything big, but one thing I do have, which now sits in pride of place at home, and people won’t understand why until they’ve seen this week’s episodes, is a skimming stone. Steve (McFadden, who plays Phil) gave it to me, and that’s a precious memory.” Paul Bradley kept a special memento from his time as Nigel (Credit: BBC) EastEnders: Losing Nigel hits Walford hard tomorrow Tomorrow’s episode sees news of Nigel’s passing reach Albert Square, leaving everyone heartbroken. As Julie and Phil’s friends and family gather in the Square when they arrive back from the care home, they all join forces to make sure the pair know just how loved Nigel was. But while Julie is comforted by how quickly Nigel’s death has brought people together, Phil is struggling. As he takes himself off home to be on his own, Linda and Grant worry about him. Will Phil be able to keep his promise to Nigel and be okay? Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 29 Apr 2026, 20:04 By Claire Crick 29 Apr 2026, 20:04 Previous Story Next Story
