Emotional EastEnders scenes are on the cards as Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) stages another comeback and reunites with brother Phil (Steve McFadden) to spend time with Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) amid his dementia battle.
Nigel returned to the Square over a year ago to reconnect with best mate Phil, revealing that he has been diagnosed with dementia.
Phil, who was struggling with his own mental health at the time, vowed to support Nigel and be there for him every step of the way.
With assistance from Julie (Karen Henthorn), he’s very much kept that promise, becoming one of Nigel’s primary carers as he entered the advanced stages of dementia.
Earlier this month, the time came for Nigel to enter a care home, with Julie and Phil making the difficult decision after an incident resulted in their beloved Nigel developing pneumonia.
Clare (Gemma Bissix) was summoned back to the Square ahead of his departure and she was quick to berate Julie for withholding Nigel’s diagnosis from her.
At first, Nigel didn’t recognise Clare but after a trip down memory lane with Julie, his face lit up upon setting his sights on his stepdaughter.
Phil, meanwhile, took Nigel to the care home, where he got settled in. This proved devastating for Phil, who broke down in tears and told his friend that he couldn’t come and see him again, overwhelmed by the whole thing.
But it seems as though Phil has a change of heart and it’s perhaps one that could come courtesy of Grant, who is coming back to the show as part of the story in question.
New images filmed on location confirm the emotionally charged scenes to come as stars Paul Bradley, Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp were spotted shooting.
In the snaps as filming got underway, Nigel could be seen beaming with joy as he enjoys a day out at the seaside with best friends Phil and Grant.
There’s also an emotional heart-to-heart on the cards for Phil and Grant as the legendary Walford duo catch up while sitting on a bench.
Nigel, meanwhile, has the time of his life, staring out to the sea with a stone in hand.
Grant’s return was confirmed last month, with the legendary hard-man’s comeback coinciding with both Nigel’s story and son Mark Fowler Jr’s (Stephen Aaron-Sipple).
Ross Kemp said: ‘I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year.
‘As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life.’
