lare Bates made a dramatic return to EastEnders today, but her reunion with stepdad Nigel didn’t go to plan when he didn’t recognise her before going missing.

However, there is more heartache to come when Nigel moves into his care home tomorrow in a very special standalone episode focusing on the next chapter in his dementia storyline.

Claire by Nigel’s bedside in the hospital
Claire was upset when Nigel didn’t know who she was (Credit: BBC)
EastEnders: Nigel got upset when he didn’t know who Clare was
Clare returned to Albert Square after hearing Julie’s voicemail, but it soon became apparent there was no love lost between the two women. As the pair argued over Nigel, Phil warned there couldn’t be any drama when they went to the hospital.

But it turned out that a tiff with Julie was the least of Clare’s worries. Shocked at how much Nigel had changed, Clare braced herself to reconnect with her stepdad. But when Nigel didn’t recognise her and got angry, Clare was devastated.

With his mind now firmly stuck in the past, Nigel thought that Lexi was Clare, leaving his stepdaughter upset at how bad things had got.

Julie and Clare finally aired their true feelings

The truth about why Clare and Julie don’t get on was finally revealed during a heart-to-heart outside the hospital.

Julie accused Clare of stealing Debbie’s wedding ring last time she visited Nigel and pawning it for money. Julie said it was the last thing that Nigel had of his late wife’s, and that he had to spend a fortune buying it back from the pawnbrokers.

Clare seemed remorseful, but told Julie that she knew she didn’t like her – mainly because she reminded her of Debbie, the love of Nigel’s life.

Julie said she would never forgive Clare for being a bad stepdaughter, but that Nigel would if she only tried to make amends.

Lexi and Clare talking outside the hospital
Lexi made Clare see she needs to make up with Nigel (Credit: BBC)
Nigel went missing in EastEnders
Later, Lexi talked to Clare. She told her about losing her mum, Lola, when she was only 10 years old. The same age Clare was when her mum, Debbie, died.

Lexi told Clare she would do anything for one more day with her mum. She then pointed out Clare should make up with Nigel while she still could.

Lexi showed Clare the video that Lola filmed before she died, and Clare resolved to put things right.

But later, when Phil and Julie arrived to take Nigel to his care home, they were stunned to find he had gone missing.

Lexi handing Nigel a pint of beer as he sits in The Vic after going missing in EastEnders
Nigel has one last pint at The Vic after going missing in EastEnders (Credit: BBC)
The drama continues tomorrow for missing Nigel in EastEnders
Tomorrow’s EastEnders sees a very special episode dedicated entirely to Nigel. His next big step will play out as Julie and Phil take him to his care home.

After Julie and Phil track missing Nigel down in EastEnders, they are shocked to see Clare has organised a party for her stepdad.

Walford residents gather to say their emotional goodbyes to Nigel. But Julie and Clare clash once again over what is best for him.

Thankfully, Clare’s old friend Chelsea is on hand to defuse the drama between the warring women. Meanwhile, Yolande supports Julie as they prepare to take Nigel to the home.

As they get Nigel settled into his new surroundings, the enormity of what is happening hits everyone hard. Will Nigel be okay?