EMOTIONAL EastEnders fans have praised the ‘best episode of soap ever made’.

Thursday’s episode focused on Nigel Bates’s heartbreaking goodbye to Albert Square.

In the BBC soap, Paul Bradley portrays Nigel, who originally came into the soap in the 90s, but made a high-profile return to Albert Square on Christmas Eve in 2024.

In recent scenes, Nigel’s young onset dementia has worsened, with his best friend Phil Mitchell and his wife Julie Bates deciding to place him in a care home.

The final episode of this week then saw Nigel leave hospital, return to Albert Square and the Queen Victoria pub for one final pint before heading to his new home.

Greeted at the pub by the residents of Albert Square, Nigel enjoys a cake and a pint with all of his friends and loved ones.

Still not recognising his own daughter Clare Bates, his wife Julie reminds him of when he used to take her swimming every weekend before buying doughnuts afterwards.

For a brief moment, Nigel remembers who Clare is, which is a sombre yet touching moment for them both.

Nigel is then taken to his new home, a specialist care home, where Phil drops him off and gets him settled in.

The two men the share an incredibly emotional farewell.

As Phil, played by Steve McFadden, said goodbye to Nigel, he explained how he could not be around much anymore, due to the heavy toll the situation is taking on him.

In floods of tears, he broke down and told his friend that he loves him.

Phil then held his hand and saying a silent goodbye, with the soap ending on the very poignant note, which left fans feeling moved.

Viewers were left sobbing in front of their television screens as the episode played out, with many hailing it as the best episode ever.

One person on X said that it was their “favourite soap episode of the year so far.

“A devastating, community-centred half hour of television that I won’t stop thinking about for ages, as the next chapter of Nigel’s story begins. That final Phil scene destroyed me.”

Another penned: “Credit where credit is due, today’s episode was brilliant, definitely the best of this era so far. That moment where Nigel finally recognised Clare again was particularly poignant.”

While a third wrote: “I feel totally broken,” adding, “Just so sad seeing how quickly Nigel has worsened.

“The storyline has been done brilliantly and everyone involved as been amazing but it’s a tough watch.”

Meanwhile, on Reddit, one person penned: “What an incredible, powerful episode.

“Among the rest of it, it is always so moving to see the broken, emotionally vulnerable Phil. Steve McFadden plays it so well.”

Another agreed it was one of the best episodes, writing: “One of, if not the best episode of the Ben Wadey era so far.

“So hard-hitting and sad. Every scene mattered.”

And another added: “Wow, that was the hardest-hitting episode in a very long time.”

While someone else said: “Such an incredible and moving episode today.”