Major EastEnders exit twist for Julie as Nigel makes her dreams come true in touching last act
EastEnders spoilers follow for Thursday’s (May 21) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.
If you were sobbing profusely into your bowl of cereal while watching EastEnders this morning on iPlayer then, believe you me, you weren’t alone.
The episode in question saw Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn), who revealed earlier this week that she would be returning to Scotland after Nigel’s (Paul Bradley) funeral, leave the Square after one of the most remarkably poignant comeback stints in recent soap memory.
Julie returned to Walford last year after three decades away in the wake of Nigel, who reconnected with old mate Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), revealing that he’d been diagnosed with dementia.
Nigel initially kept Julie in the dark about his diagnosis, believing he was protecting her from what he was going through, but she subsequently arrived in Walford and proved to be the rock Phil needed amid his vow to be by Nige’s side until the very end.
Bringing her back not only benefited the storyline but also the BBC One soap in general, with Julie slotting seamlessly into the current show landscape, elevating every scene she’s in – largely due to powerhouse Karen Henthorn’s performances – and becoming one of the best characters not only the Square but soap in general has to offer.
Her unexpected friendship with Phil provided for some of the best scenes in recent EastEnders memory, with stars Karen and Steve doing superb work alongside Nigel star Paul in what proved to be a devastatingly authentic portrayal of dementia, showcasing what soap is capable of as a genre.
In emotional scenes last month, Nigel passed away in a care home with Julie and Phil – the two people who meant the most to him in the whole world – by his side.
Wednesday’s (May 20) edition of the BBC One soap saw the day of his funeral arrive and the day proved upsetting for Julie, who struggled to find the right words to pay tribute to her beloved sweetheart.
Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix), who had returned once more for the service, had an idea, recalling an old poem Nigel helped her with as part of an English assignment from when she was a child. In the poem, Nigel imagined himself as an older person looking back on his life.
The idea proved to be the perfect solution, with Julie tearfully reading it aloud at the beautiful service, providing the mourners with some catharsis as Nige’s nearest and dearest paid tribute to the ‘unforgettable’ titan of the Square by wearing some of his signature colourful ties.
Phil and Grant, meanwhile, got up to say a few words, honouring the legacy of their kind, dear friend. Phil broke down as he recalled how Nigel saved his life amid his mental health battle before sharing a moment at the coffin with the ‘best mate’ he ever had.
After the service, Julie and Phil spent some time outside with the chickens. Julie revealed that she would be leaving the Square to return to Scotland as it’s where the happiest memories of her time with Nigel are.
In Thursday’s (May 21) edition of the soap, Julie decided to look to the future and thus – after weeks of putting it off – she bravely read the letter left to her by husband Nigel, who had written it prior to his dementia symptoms taking hold.
Emotional at the thought of knowing what Nigel’s final wishes were, Julie asked Phil to be by her side when she read it – and she was in for quite the shock.
In beautifully performed scenes, Julie broke down in tears realising that her late husband had left her the funds necessary to fulfil their dream of going to India together.
‘I want you to go to India’, he wrote. ‘And to live for me. Thank you for being my wife. You were my world. I love you. Be happy.’