EastEnders fans were left thrilled when Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) arrived back in Albert Square in December, and now he is set to reveal the real reason behind his return.

Since coming back, Nigel has been reconnecting with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), amid a storyline that has seen the show legend suffer with loneliness.

And it looks like Nigel may be here to stay for a while longer, as upcoming scenes see him secure a job at a popular local spot.

When Kathy Beale’s (Gillian Taylforth) cafe is hit by the lunchtime rush, Nigel steps up to help, and is rewarded with an offer of employment, which he quickly snaps up.

With Nigel settling back into life in Walford, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) begins to question what brought him back.

However, it later becomes clear that Nigel may not be telling the full story behind his return…

Later, Billy gets an even bigger shock when he learns that Phil has decided to sign his half of the Boxing Den over to Nigel.

Poor Nigel seems reluctant about Phil’s decision, but his attempts to refuse the deal over breakfast the next morning fall on deaf ears.

Soon, Nigel turns to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) for help and reveals Phil’s plans, urging her to talk some sense into him.

When Sharon later accosts Phil at the Vic, she is left increasingly concerned about his behaviour.

While Sharon attempts to rally troops to stage an intervention for Phil, Nigel makes the drastic decision to flee Walford.

However, he soon finds himself taking solace in the launderette instead, where Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) offers a listening ear.

While Phil worries about his whereabouts, Nigel opens up to Yolande about his true reasons for being back in Walford.

When Phil finally tracks him down, what will Nigel do?