Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) is a cause for concern in EastEnders next week, when disappears from Albert Square.
The favourite returned to the area at Christmas after almost three decades away, but it soon became clear that he’d fallen on hard times.
Estranged from wife Julie (Karen Henthorn), he confided in Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) that he was living with young-onset dementia and didn’t want to force her into caring for him.
With his condition worsening, he was forced to tell best pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) – and hoped that by telling him of his struggle, it would help with his own mental health battle.
Recent scenes have shown him confuse Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) for his adoptive daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), and accidentally reveal to her that her grandfather was unwell.
In upcoming scenes, the residents are excited to take part in Easter celebrations, but Nige is less than enthusiastic.
He’s feeling overwhelmed by Phil’s overprotectiveness, and Yolande suggests that he don an Easter Bunny costume to take his mind off things.
The event is going well, until he finds himself in a predicament with Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman).
Nigel confuses youngster Hope Fowler (Isabelle Smith) for Clare, leaving Harvey baffled.
As a result of the altercation, Harvey, Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) quiz Phil on Nige’s health, wondering whether there is something wrong with him.
Phil reveals all about the dementia diagnosis, but later makes an unsettling discovery – Nigel intends to take his own life if his memory issues continue to worsen.
This is horrifying for Phil to learn, given his own recent suicide contemplations.
Nigel makes an attempt to reason with Phil over his decision, but Phil is reluctant to hear him out and leaves.
Jean, now knowing what he is going through, arrives to have an open and honest conversation and offers to support him, but he keeps shtum about his earlier run-in with Phil.
Across the Square, Phil has gone to speak with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) about his findings and she encourages him to stand by his mate.
Young-onset dementia support groups and help can be found on the Dementia UK website.
With a renewed clarity on the situation, he returns home but is stunned to find a goodbye letter from Nigel, who is planning to leave Walford.
Phil and Linda relentlessly search the area for him, and when they track him down, convince him to return home.
Nigel is overwhelmed by how much he means to the locals, and by Phil’s caring demeanour.
However, later in the day, Phil tells Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) that Nige can no longer work at her cafe.
