EastEnders’ Phil makes emotional breakthrough – but there’s bad news ahead

EastEnders spoilers follow.

Phil Mitchell appeared to finally confront the emotional reality of Nigel Bates’ condition on EastEnders tonight, as he had a heart-to-heart with granddaughter Lexi. Nigel’s young-onset dementia storyline is nearing its sad conclusion, but Phil has struggled with it, having not visited his long-time friend since he entered a care home.

Scenes in today’s episode saw his sister Sam giving him some tough love as she persuaded him to talk to Lexi about her recent refusal to go to school.

Phil later appeared at a family dinner and took the opportunity for a quiet chat with her, during which the youngster explained she knows Nigel doesn’t have long left — and she dreads being told of his passing by a teacher when the time comes.

Becoming emotional himself, Phil made her see she’s been through tough times before, and as difficult as this will be, she’ll ultimately get through it. He also vowed to go into school to tell her about Nigel in person when the moment arrives.

With Lexi comforted, it was an encouraging sign that Phil was finally engaging with the reality of what lays ahead.

But when they returned home later, Sam was frustrated when he appeared to shut down again.

“You did a good thing tonight,” she said. “You need to take your own advice, though. What was it you said? We all come through tough times, it ain’t easy or quick but we get there…”

She added: “Someone’s got to say it so you really hear it. Nigel’s sick. The pneumonia’s not going away. Time’s running out.”

A tear in his eye, Phil walked out the room without engaging, leaving Sam despairing once again.

Things will escalate in upcoming scenes when Mark calls Phil and Sam’s brother Grant to update him on the situation — it’s not long before the character, played by Ross Kemp, shows up.

His return will come shortly before Nigel sadly passes away.

Speaking last week, Kemp credited Steve McFadden (who plays Phil) with his entire career, saying: “If he didn’t open the door for me, I couldn’t do anything. He is one of the most giving and one of the most talented actors I’ve ever worked with.”