EastEnders spoilers follow.
Note: This article contains discussion of topics including suicide.
EastEnders' Nigel Bates reveals an enormous secret to shocked Phil Mitchell next week – he intends to end his own life before his dementia symptoms get worse.
As devastated Phil tries to convince his friend to change his mind, Nigel then goes missing, leaving his loved ones fearing the worst…
Before the bombshell, Walford is getting into the Easter spirit with an egg hunt for the little locals. Yolande Trueman needs an Easter bunny and asks Nigel to pop on the costume and do the honours.
Feeling smothered by overprotective Phil, Nigel reckons this is the perfect way to show his mate he can still do things for himself.
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"But things soon go very wrong when Nigel gets mixed up again," explains our insider. "He confuses Hope for his daughter Clare, and his big mistake leads to a tense altercation with Harvey."
Questioned about Nigel's outburst, Phil is forced to tell Harvey Monroe, Jean Slater and Ian Beale the truth about his illness. Back at home, Phil then makes a discovery about his friend’s plan to take his own life when his symptoms get more debilitating.
Phil struggles to take in what Nigel is saying and refuses to hear him out. With emotions running high, the pair find themselves at odds.
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Nigel later has a heart-to-heart with Jean and opens up to his sympathetic neighbour, stopping short of bringing her in on the worrying discovery Phil made about his approach to his terminal diagnosis.
Meanwhile, after some wise words with Linda Carter about how to support his mate, Phil heads home, only to discover a goodbye letter and no sign of Nigel – where is he?
Linda, Yolande and Jean join the search for missing Nigel. Thankfully, they track him down and Phil takes him home. When Nigel insists on sticking to his controversial plan, frustrated Phil makes a suggestion.
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"Phil offers to become Nigel's carer," our source reveals. "He is desperate to talk his friend out of taking his own life, especially after his own suicide attempt earlier this year. It's a really touching gesture, and one that will mark a significant change in this special relationship."
Determined to be there for his buddy, whatever the future holds, Phil pledges to make Nigel his top priority. Phil then discreetly tells Kathy Beale that Nigel has gone so downhill, he's no longer well enough to work at the café.
Can Phil cope with the tough responsibility of looking after Nigel as his memory fades and his needs increase? And will Nigel still ultimately want to have the last word on how he faces his final days?
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
More information about dementia is available via organisations including the NHS and Dementia UK. Dementia UK offers support and advice about living with dementia through a free helpline at 0800 888 6678 and helpline@dementiauk.org.
Resources for readers in the US are available via the National Institutes of Health.
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.
