New romance ‘confirmed’ for EastEnders’ Nigel – but it goes quickly awry

Ash Percival

Published January 22, 2025 7:00am Updated January 22, 2025 9:21am

Nigel Bates sits alone on the bench in the Square in EastEnders — Nigel is hiding his dementia diagnosis (Picture: BBC)

EastEnders hints at a new romance for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) next week, as he continues to hide his dementia diagnosis.

The 90s character staged a comeback just before Christmas and has since moved in with long-lost friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

It quickly became clear Nigel was hiding something, and was seen dodging calls from wife Julie asking where he was, despite telling people they had split up.

However, earlier this month, he opened up to Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter), revealing he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia over a year ago.

He confessed that wife Julia had no idea, as he walked out on her with no explanation, wanting to protect her from having to watch him lose his memory.

Since then, Yolande has tried to get Nigel to tell Phil about his dementia so he can support him too – but next week Nigel admits he has still opened up to his pal when Yolande follows up with him.

As Nigel and Yolande work together at the soup kitchen, a woman called Norma comes in and starts chatting to him.

Yolande Trueman chats to Nigel Bates on a bench in the Square in EastEnders — Yolande has been supporting Nigel (Picture: BBC)

Nigel and Phil in the Square gardens in EastEnders — Nigel has been hiding news about his health from Phil (Picture: BBC)

The pair are getting on well until Norma asks him out and Nigel bolts, clearly with Julie still on his mind.

Later in the week, Yolande tries to make Nigel see that he could have many good years ahead and shouldn’t shut himself off from people, such as Norma.

Will Nigel heed Yolande’s words, and could his friendship with Norma turn into something more?