EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell has revealed a devastating secret about Nigel Bates, with Julie left devastated.

Julie returned to Walford this week after collecting the rest of her belongings from Scotland and also brought her three pet chickens to the Square.

Phil was unhappy that Julie began taking over her husband Nigel’s care and disturbing the routine they had created over the last few months.

The living arrangement caused even more upset in today’s episode, with the chickens making noise all night and keeping everyone awake.

Phil aired his grievances with Julie, and the pair continued to clash as they prepared to take Nigel to an assessment to determine how his dementia has progressed.

At the appointment, the doctor praised Nigel for his healthy lifestyle, but it was clear that his short-term memory has deteriorated significantly since his last assessment.

Julie attempted to prompt Nigel’s memory during the test, and later she refused to accept that her husband had got worse, encouraging him to think positively.

When Julie went out, Nigel used the opportunity to have a private word with Phil and said that he didn’t want the situation with his wife to cause problems.

Phil eventually admitted that he can’t stand Julie, and he doesn’t think she is good for him. He told Nigel that Julie shouldn’t be acting like his dementia doesn’t exist and pretending that the disease isn’t going to kill him.

But Julie overheard this and confronted him, with the pair clashing once again about how they should be supporting Nigel.

This led Phil to explain just why Nigel initially decided to come to Walford, and he revealed to Julie that her husband was previously planning to take his own life.

How will Julie react to this distressing news about her husband, and will it change her relationships with both Nigel and Phil?