EastEnders spoilers follow.
Note: This article discusses topics including suicide.
EastEnders has teased two more major exits next week, as Grant Mitchell discovers Nigel Bates' tragic secret.
Phil Mitchell's mental health has continued to deteriorate, and last week he experienced hallucinations of his traumatic past in a special episode.
After an interaction with a young Peggy Mitchell, it seemed like Phil had made the decision to take his own life. But he was interrupted by Nigel, who returned to Walford with Phil's brother Grant.
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In this week's episodes, Nigel and Grant team up with Linda Carter to help save Phil when they discover he is going to harm himself, but Phil is at rock bottom and believes there is no way out.
How Phil's story unfolds is yet to be revealed, but in scenes that will air next week, there is tension between Grant and Nigel at No.55 the morning after the fateful day – which also saw a deadly explosion in The Vic.
Other members of the Mitchell family arrive with plenty of questions for Grant. As he faces criticism about his actions, he struggles to control his temper.
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Grant is irritated, but after receiving some helpful advice, he makes a decision in a bid to put things right with his family.
The next day, Grant and Nigel have breakfast in the café with the Mitchells, but tensions soon rise again between Grant and his family, and he leaves after hearing some harsh words.
Yolande Trueman spots this confrontation and later comforts Nigel, encouraging him to tell Grant about his dementia diagnosis. While he makes it clear that he wants to keep it quiet, Grant overhears and he demands the truth.
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Grant then learns the about Nigel's early onset dementia and storms out of the house after the pair row. He is emotional about his old friend's diagnosis and struggles to get his head around it – so he visits the one person he believes can help him.
Later, after making an assumption and being left disappointed, Grant decides it's time to leave Walford. But before he takes off, he supports an unlikely source as they put their historic differences aside.
As he says his goodbyes, Grant has a proposition for Nigel. He asks his friend to move to Portugal with him and promises to support him through his dementia.
What has happened to Phil, and will Nigel decide to leave Albert Square with Grant?
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.
Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
