In the lead up to Christmas, Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has been busy organising his film in EastEnders.

The beloved character returned last December to catch up with friends Phil and Grant Mitchell (Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp). It was then revealed that Nigel has dementia, and that he chose to return to Walford to see if his old home could jog any memories.

Memories are the focus of a future instalment of the BBC One soap, as Nigel finds himself being faced with people from his past.

As the day of Nigel’s film screening arrives, Phil and Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) are preoccupied as they’re arguing over care options for Nigel.

In the community centre, residents start arriving for the screening and Lexi (Isabella Brown) welcomes them. Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) enters, but Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) decides she isn’t welcome.

When Nigel arrives, he gets up to make a speech. Unfortunately, Nigel ends up losing his place so Julie joins him to help. With the spotlight on them both, Nigel notices a bruise on Julie’s face, and suddenly realises he caused it.

Nigel rushes out in a panic, quickly followed by Phil and Julie. As they begin a search, the duo cannot help but argue over what’s best for Nigel.

The clash continues, and because Phil and Julie are so focused on it, they fail to notice Nigel in the background, overhearing what they are saying.

Certain he needs to be left alone, Nigel arrives in the pub.

Once alone in the Queen Vic, Nigel confuses past memories with the present as his dementia symptoms intensify. In his increased state of confusion, Nigel is visited by familiar faces of the past in the form of Pat and Barry Evans (Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson). Nigel struggles to decipher his current sense of reality, but will visions of Pat and Barry end up helping him?

‘It was a complete shock getting the call to go back to Albert Square, but so exciting!,’ actor Shaun said on reprising his legendary role.

‘I have to admit to a few nerves (loads!) when I walked back onto the set of The Queen Victoria, but it was so great to work with old friends and colleagues on such a brilliant episode.

‘Just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner!’

Phil and Julie manage to find Nigel, but the evening makes Phil realise that they do need more help with Nigel’s care.

Phil has a heart-to-heart with Nigel as he prepares to tell him the truth, and then heads back to the community centre. There, he tells everyone to leave as the emotion of the night catches up with him. However, once alone with the film, Phil has a realisation.

The next day, Julie, Phil and Sam rally around Nigel following the events, but it’s clear he doesn’t remember what actually happened.

In the lead up to 2026, Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) and Billy (Perry Fenwick) spend the day looking after Nigel as Phil and Julie head out to look at care homes.

Their day takes an interesting turn, however, as Nigel gets confused and believes Honey is Julie. He starts to flirt with her, right in front of a bemused Billy!