EastEnders’ emotional storyline involving Phil Mitchell and Nigel Bates is set to undergo some huge changes in the coming weeks. The BBC soap has seen Phil take on care duties for Nigel when he returned to the Square.

It transpired that Nigel was suffering from dementia, and had left his wife Julie to hide his decline and attempt to maintain his independence.

When Julie later arrived, she and Phil were at loggerheads deciding what to do about Nigel’s care and whether he should be placed in a residential home. The pair later came to the conclusion that this was a necessity.

Scenes set to air from 2 March to 5 March tease that Julie is set to face a “moral dilemma”, and that there will be further conflict between Nigel’s loved ones.

Additionally, spoilers state that Phil is set to “prepare for a big change” as the week closes, with Nigel making “a surprise visit home”.

It follows a terrifying accident that led to Nigel being placed in a care home after he was found underwater and unconscious in the bath.

Phil and Mark Fowler made the discovery after Nigel had been left unattended, and he was rushed to the hospital.

The incident forced Phil and Julie to make the devastating decision to place Nigel in a care home, admitting that they no longer had the skills required to keep him safe.

It also comes ahead of Grant Mitchell’s next return to the soap after he last appeared on the Square as part of the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2025.

A press release previously confirmed that Grant will make his way back to the Square once more following a call from his estranged son, Mark, and will visit Nigel.