EastEnders is lining up a huge week for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), as confirmed in my new picture gallery, when a face from the past returns.

We are, of course, referring to Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who only recently made a departure from Albert Square alongside wife Julie (Karen Henthorn).

She arrives back without her husband – who has seemingly gone missing from their home in Scotland.

When he’s found and brought back to the Mitchell residence, Phil and Julie clash once again over what is best for him.

Will they reach an agreement?

It’s a big week for the Panesars, as Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) discovers she is pregnant.

After confiding in Suki (Balvinder Sopal), she realises that her family are far too preoccupied to focus on her issue.

Dad Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) has been hauled in for questioning over his drug dealing, and mum Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) is forced to take serious action to conceal his activity.

Plus, when Suki discovers that son Vinny (Shiv Jalota) is attending her daughter Ash’s engagement party, she’s not a happy bunny.

Across the Square, the Queen Vic auction gets underway but Kat Moon’s (Jessie Wallace) plans are stunted when cousin Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) reveals that she can’t offer her the money after all.

The bombshell seems to drop in the wake of a message from Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).

Just what is going on?

Elsewhere, Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) threatens to expose Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) big secret – she had a daughter, Annie, with his dad Max (Jake Wood).

Linda pleads with Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) to convince her brother to keep quiet.

What will he do?

Whatever he decides, far greater issues hit The Square when his old mate Mike (Tai Hilferink) tracks him down. There may be trouble ahead!