NEW HEARBREAKING!!! EastEnders follow-up: As Nigel’s health declines the end is just around the corner next week

EastEnders fans were left stunned today when young Louie Beale was unmasked as Vicki’s blackmailer, all during an emotional visit to see Nigel.

The dramatic reveal unfolded as Ian and Kathy headed to the care home with Louie in tow. While the adults caught up with Julie, Louie kept his eyes firmly fixed on his phone. But it wasn’t long before Ian clocked that something wasn’t quite right.

When a message notification came through, Louie’s sudden change in behaviour set alarm bells ringing. Ian quickly demanded to see what was going on and was left reeling when he discovered Louie had been sending the threatening messages to Vicki.

EastEnders: Nigel left friends and family worried

As Kathy and Ian dealt with Louie back in Walford, poor Nigel was oblivious to the drama unfolding around him. With his pneumonia worsening, Julie explained that Nigel spends a lot of time asleep now.

With Nigel’s health deteriorating fast, Julie has been spending every waking hour by her husband’s bedside. However, it was revealed today that Phil still hasn’t been to see his best friend since he went into the home.

When Sam went to visit Nigel, Julie said she should be out celebrating getting the all-clear for cancer. Sam pointed out that she wouldn’t miss seeing Nigel for the world, and Julie commented that if only it were the same for her brother.

Sam could only apologise for Phil’s lack of visits… but as Nigel’s health takes another turn next week, it looks like Phil might have to visit soon, before it is too late.

More heartache for Nigel’s loved ones next week

Looking ahead to next week, the situation only becomes more emotional as Nigel’s loved ones prepare for the worst. Lexi is left devastated when she visits and sees just how ill he has become. But Phil still refuses to go.

Even after Sam updates him on Nigel’s worsening pneumonia, Phil remains unmoved. But as the week goes on, Mark decides enough is enough and takes matters into his own hands.

He suggests reaching out to Grant. But Sam is quick to shut the idea down, insisting he has ignored all her previous calls.

With Nigel’s time seemingly limited, Sam reflects on the once-close bond she shared with her brothers. Determined to bring the family back together, Mark secretly contacts Grant anyway, leaving him a voicemail urging him to return to Walford.

With that call made, Grant’s return feels closer than ever. The question now is whether he will arrive in time to see Nigel before it is too late.

There are heartbreaking scenes ahead in EastEnders next week as Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) health takes a turn for the worse.

Nigel, who has dementia, was recently moved to a care home after nearly drowning in a bath at home before he contracted pneumonia, which he has since been struggling to shift.

The move has hit Nigel’s best friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) extremely hard, and he has stopped visiting him in the care home, unable to come to terms with the prospect of losing Nigel.

However, it looks like the end is drawing near, as next week his sister Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) learns the news that Nigel’s condition is worsening.

Upon hearing this, her nephew Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) suggests they need to inform his dad Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), who is also very close to Nigel and vowed to be there for him during his brief return to Walford last year.

Sam initially shuts down the idea, explaining that Grant has not been returning her calls. But as she reflects on how far the Mitchell siblings have drifted apart since their mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor) died in 2016, Mark suggests Nigel’s situation could bring them together again.

He then leaves Grant a voicemail asking him to come back to the Square, paving the way for actor Ross Kemp to reprise his role.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the iconic character would be returning for another extended stint, with reports also suggesting that it would tie in with the tragic end of Nigel’s dementia storyline.

Ross and Steve McFadden, who plays his on-screen brother Phil, were also snapped filming emotional scenes on a beach with Paul Bradley as Nigel.

With Grant’s return now imminent, it looks as if viewers should be braced to say a devastating goodbye to Nigel in the coming weeks.

Ross previously said in a statement: ‘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.’