A SHOCKING CONFESSION Nicola makes a big confession to George in EastEnders but withholds a secret

The arrival of Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) is causing problems for new parents George Knight (Colin Salmon) and Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) in EastEnders.

Eddie is George’s adoptive father, and was sent to prison for murder after it was revealed that he killed George’s biological dad.

He has returned to our screens after Nicola found him in a hospital bed. While she made no bones about the fact that George would want nothing to do with him, standing firmly beside her boyfriend, she was rocked all over again when Eddie revealed that he was dying.

Eddie’s return has come just weeks after the birth of George and Nicola’s daughter Ivy. In upcoming episodes, it’s the day of the baby’s Ghanaian naming cermony, but Nicola is somewhat distracted by the secret meeting with Eddie’s prison officer.

Nicola then chats to George and says that Eddie moving in is the right thing to do, but fails to mention the fact his dad has offered her a large sum of money as an exchange.

George thinks it’s a terrible idea, but after Nicola presses, he eventually agrees to the idea of Eddie moving into the basement flat.

Things get awkward for the couple later in the week, as Eddie arrives during Ivy’s naming cermeony. Left alone, Eddie tells Nicola that she won’t get his money unless he’s allowed to live upstairs with the family in the main house.

Stressed, Nicola goes over the finances at Harry’s Barn again, but concludes to Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) that they definitely need Eddie’s cash to stop the business from going under.

As the week draws to a close, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) tries to dissuade George from helping Eddie, but he ignores her.

Will Eddie’s final plot destroy George and Nicola’s relationship?

EastEnders’ Nicola Mitchell finally takes baby Ivy in her arms next week, as the mum and her newborn daughter are brought together for the first time.

It’s an emotional moment not only for Nicola, but for George Knight too, who’s soon keen to rekindle their romantic relationship. But how will Nicola react to the idea of the trio becoming a family?

“It’s been sheer agony for Nicola as each hour passed with her unable to hold the newborn – so the moment when she finally cradles her baby close is a truly special one,” reveals our Walford source.

“George is definitely moved by the sight, but when he then tells Nicola that he loves her, is it a real declaration – or something born out of a heady combination of emotion and exhaustion?”

The week begins with Nicola still isolated from her daughter after being struck down with flu. With Ivy premature and prone to infections, she’s been taken to the neonatal unit and Nicola is being kept away from her daughter for the tot’s safety.

Desperate to see her baby, Nicola grows increasingly frustrated. So, when dad George is offered skin-to-skin contact with his daughter, he turns it down, feeling Nicola should be the first one to hold their little girl.

“His sacrifice is little comfort to Nicola,” declares our insider. “She lashes out in frustration at her former boyfriend, blaming him for being distracted by the launch of his new restaurant at the time she started her contractions.”

With Nicola more and more determined to see her daughter, it’s a relief all round when she finally gets permission from the medics to hold Ivy. Feeling it marks a new beginning for them all, this is the moment that George makes his declaration of love.

Pointedly, Nicola doesn’t echo the sentiment, but when she later tells her son Harry what George has said, his words give her food for thought.

“Nicola and George have agreed to co-parent and George has moved into the basement flat in Nicola’s house – but George’s words could move things to a whole new level,” explains our source.

“It’s clear the pair need each other – by the end of the week they are both worn out and are grateful for their mutual support. But are their feelings strong enough between to plan a romantic future together?”