EastEnders viewers are fearing the worst as the Mitchell siblings are brought back together for the first time in years.
EastEnders viewers are worried for Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) life as he fights pneumonia.
The long-standing mate of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) suffers from dementia and currently resides in a care facility, but as his condition worsens, it seems he’s reuniting the Mitchell family on-screen for the first time in twenty years.
In Thursday’s (April 16) instalment of the BBC drama, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), and his grandson Louie (Jake McNally) paid a visit to Nigel, who couldn’t rouse himself to greet his companions.
Julie (Karen Henthorn) revealed Nigel has pneumonia, causing Sam and Ian distress. She subsequently requested some fresh air outside the care facility, suggesting she’s been maintaining a vigil at his bedside for quite some time.
The moment left EastEnders devotees anxious that Nigel might be nearing the end. Heading to X, one viewer posted: “Poor Nigel got pneumonia”, while another declared: “This is heartbreaking to see. Nigel is slowly starting to slip away. #Eastenders @bbceastenders”, reports OK!
“#EastEnders Nigel with pneumonia! (worried face)”, wrote one fan, while another shared the feeling: “Sam and Ian visiting Nigel, nice scene with them and Julie and Kathy. #EastEnders.”
“Nooo! Take Elaine or Zach or Johnny!!!! Leave Nigel alone!!!!!! #eastenders”, pleaded another.
Next week, the Mitchells unite to support Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) after she refuses to attend school.
Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) swiftly calls upon Lexi’s grandfather, Phil, to reach out to the teenager, and they quickly discover the true reason for Lexi’s absence from lessons.
Later that evening, more devastating news arrives when Sam tells Phil that Nigel’s pneumonia is deteriorating.
The following day, word of Nigel’s worsening condition reaches Mark Fowler JR (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), who proposes they contact his father, Grant.
Sam, who has also received the all-clear for breast cancer after treatment, declines and soon reveals that her brother has ignored all of her telephone calls.
The discussions with her nephew prompt Sam to consider how much the Mitchell siblings have grown apart since their mum, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), passed away.
