The Walford community have gathered to pay their respects to Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) in EastEnders – including two former residents.
In true soap opera style, the emotional affair didn’t happen without a stumbling block or two.
Beloved Nige passed away following a long battle with dementia last month. He’d developed pneumonia, and wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) had decided to suspend his treatment.
Following his death, it was confirmed that Gemma Bissix and S Club 7 star Jon Lee would be reprising their roles as Clare Bates and Josh Saunders. While Bissix appeared in a few episodes earlier this year, Lee’s return would be the first time that he’d stepped foot in Albert Square in 28 years.
Ahead of his return, Lee said: “It was quite surreal stepping back on to Albert Square after so many years as it’s so familiar to so many of us. It was lovely to see my onscreen family again”.
Bissix added: “When I returned earlier this year, we always knew Clare had to come back for Nigel’s funeral. He meant so much to her, and it felt right to be there for the conclusion of his story, as everyone came together to say their final goodbyes”.
Gemma and Josh arrived in today’s episode as Julie struggled to write her eulogy. Emotions were running high for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) too, who broke down as he was gifted Nigel’s watch.
The locals slowly filtered into the Mitchell residence to pay their respects, with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) having an uncomfortable reunion with Clare – some 18 years since they last crossed paths and she blackmailed him.
Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) then warned Phil and their brother Grant (Ross Kemp) that the clock was ticking, and they’d have to make their way to the undertakers. Grant was preoccupied by son Mark Fowler’s (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) disappearance, and was alarmed when ruthless crime boss Russell Delaney (Anthony Skordi) called to say he’d taken him hostage.
While listening to Grant’s pleas, Delaney overheard Sam’s voice – and revealed that they had history. After Grant had slept with Delaney’s wife, he’d sought revenge by sleeping with Sam.
When their relationship soured, Sam made off with his grandfather’s chain that had huge sentimental and monetary value. Delaney now wanted this, along with £200,000, to secure Mark’s freedom.
The siblings climbed into the hearse alongside Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick), and diverted their procession towards a warehouse where Mark was being held. As Billy waited outside with the coffin, Sam, Grant and Phil charged in.
Mark was in a bad way, and although Grant had promised to handover the money by the end of the day, he also wanted his grandad’s chain back. Sam tried to compromise by offering him Nigel’s watch, though Phil was vehemently against it.
Upon seeing Mark’s torment, he agreed that she could hand it over, but was left guilt-ridden. He made Delaney promise to keep it safe.
The group then made their way to the church where Julie, Clare, Josh and the rest of Albert Square were waiting outside. After Julie’s eulogy, Phil and Grant delivered a moving tribute to Nige, before everyone headed home.
Stood admiring Nigel’s chicken coop, Phil reassured Julie that she will forever be a part of the family, and that she was welcome to stay with him. She announced her intentions to return to Scotland, where she had the most memories of her late husband.
Sam grabbed Phil and ordered him and Grant to The Arches to raise a toast to Nigel. There, she admitted that the watch she’d given Delaney actually belonged to Billy, and that she’d kept the real article safe.
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