A confused Nigel is visited by familiar faces of Christmas past in EastEnders

Will it give him the solace he needs?

 20 DECEMBER - 2 JANUARY

The day of Nigel’s film screening in Walford arrives, but Phil and Julie are preoccupied by their disagreement over care options for Nigel.

As the residents gather at the community centre for the screening, Lexi takes control of the event, having directed the film. But when Sam arrives, Kat soon makes it clear she is not welcome and is stunned when Julie drops the bombshell that Sam has been back in the country for months.  

When Nigel gets up to make a speech, he loses his place, and Julie joins him on stage. With the spotlight on them both, Nigel notices a bruise on Julie’s face, and upon realising he is to blame, Nigel flees.

As Phil and Julie head out in search of Nigel, it’s not long before the pair argue once again about what’s best for him. Unbeknownst to the pair, Nigel overhears their disagreement, and after confronting them both, demands to be left alone as he heads to the closed Vic in search of solace.

Once alone in The Vic, Nigel confuses past memories with the present as his dementia symptoms intensify, and in his increased state of confusion, he is visited by familiar faces of Christmas past in the form of Pat and Barry Evans, as Nigel struggles to decipher his current sense of reality.

As Phil and Julie search for Nigel, they soon find him in The Vic, and Phil finally comes to the realisation that he and Julie need more help with Nigel’s care. And as Phil prepares to tell him the truth, he has a heart-to-heart with Nigel.

Unaware of the drama surrounding Nigel, the residents of Walford continue to watch Nigel’s film, and Elaine and Ian take starring roles.

Phil puts an end to the festivities and orders everyone to leave as the emotion of the evening catches up with him, but once alone with the film, Phil has a realisation.

Following yesterday’s events, Julie, Phil and Sam rally around Nigel, but it’s clear he doesn’t remember. Inspired by Nigel, Sam and Phil have a heart-to-heart about family

As the Mitchells enjoy a family dinner, Nigel puts preparations in place to make this Christmas an extra special one.

On New Year's Eve, Honey and Billy look after Nigel as Phil and Julie look at prospective care homes, but it soon becomes apparent that Nigel thinks Honey is Julie, and he attempts to flirt with her in front of a bemused Billy.

EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer