BBC Share By Joel Harley Dec 18 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 18 2025 Julie makes a drastic decision as Nigel's dementia symptoms violently escalate in early iPlayer release Nigel takes a turn for the worse Julie Bates Nigel Bates Share By Joel Harley Dec 18 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 18 2025 WARNING: This article contains spoilers for today’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming on BBC iPlayer now, but has yet to air on BBC One – in which Julie considers Nigel Bates’ future as his dementia symptoms intensify. Nigel’s condition takes a turn for the worse in EastEnders today (Thursday, December 18) when he turns violent, lashing out and striking Julie. This comes as she begins to seriously consider putting Nigel in a home as his symptoms intensified yesterday – having a conversation with an imaginary Phil. Both Nigel and Phil are against the idea, but for how much longer can they ignore the glaringly obvious? Nigel grows upset when he can’t find his cufflinks (Credit: BBC) Nigel hits Julie as his dementia symptoms worsen in early EastEnders release As the soap continues tonight, Julie and Phil are at each other’s throats over yesterday’s doctor’s appointment. Meanwhile, Nigel grows upset when he’s unable to find his cufflinks ahead of next week’s film premiere. Lexi and the family try to help Nigel find the missing cufflinks, but his temper only worsens when he snaps at Lexi. Julie attempts to calm Nigel down, but he reacts violently, elbowing her in the face. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Later, as Julie nurses her bruised face, she brings up the idea of a nursing home with Phil again. However, he won’t hear of it, and shuts her down again. Once Phil leaves the room, Julie opens her laptop and makes an enquiry with the nursing home. Is Nigel’s time in Walford at an end? Nigel’s film premiere doesn’t go as planned (Credit: BBC) Nigel visited by faces from the past Nigel holds the premiere of his film in EastEnders next week, taking to the community centre stage with Julie as the excited residents of Walford gather around. However, when he notices the bruise on Julie’s face, Nigel realises that he was responsible, and flees. Phil and Julie give chase, but soon begin arguing again. Nigel overhears their bickering, and confronts them both, before running away again. He takes shelter at the closed Queen Vic, where his dementia symptoms begin to take hold. Struggling to decipher between past and present, Nigel imagines a series of conversations with past residents, including Barry and Pat Evans. Meanwhile, after watching Nigel’s film, Phil comes to a sad realisation. How will Nigel react when Phil breaks the news that he and Julie are putting him in a nursing home? Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Dec 18 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 18 2025 Previous Story Next Story
