EastEnders legend confirms terminal illness in heartbreaking new storyline
Share:
The following article contains spoilers from an episode of EastEnders that hasn’t aired on BBC One yet, but is available to view on BBC iPlayer. Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) in EastEnders has confirmed to Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) that he has dementia.
![[Yolande speaks to Nigel in EastEnders]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/501209-b9e4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Nigel returned to Albert Square over Christmas, much to Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) surprise. The character, who was pals with the likes of Phil and Grant (Ross Kemp) back in the day, was thought to be homeless. It has been suggested that Nigel isn’t being completely honest about the circumstances which led him back to Walford though, as he claims that wife Julie kicked him out. Julie, however, has been leaving him text messages, concerned about his whereabouts as she begs him to return home.
![[Nigel and Kathy behind the counter at the cafe in EastEnders]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/501162-cc57.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. At the start of the week, Nigel headed off for his first shift at the café. The bumbling character spent a lot of time chatting to Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) about his life in Albert Square, and they were more than happy to listen.
The trio were then treated (is that the word?) to a visit from Phil. He handed Nigel his house keys and explained he needed to pop out, as he wanted to start the process of selling his shares of The Boxing Den to his friend. This left Nigel, Billy and Jay shocked. Nigel tried to say no, but Phil didn’t really give him a choice over accepting the offer.
