Wednesday’s episode saw Nigel Bates finally pass away after a gut-wrenching dementia storyline, and fans have praised the soap’s writers for sending him off with dignity
Fans have been left devastated after Nigel Bates was officially killed off in EastEnders following a heartbreaking dementia storyline.
Viewers have been left bereft in recent weeks as Nigel, played by Paul Bradley on the BBC soap, entered his final weeks of life as his dementia grew more advanced. In the harrowing episode, Nigel died surrounded by best pal Phil Mitchell and wife Julie Haye.
The storyline took over 16 months to complete, with Nigel’s death bringing Paul’s 34 year stint on the show to an end. Now, fans have taken to social media to share their tributes to Nigel during the emotional episode.
During Wednesday’s episode (April 29), Nigel took his final breaths surrounded by Julie and Phil as they shared in their memories of the times they spent together. After meeting up with brother Grant, Phil was able to rush home and bring Nigel the stone he desperately wanted so that Nigel could hold it as he passed.
The pair are left devastated, despite calls from some of Nigel’s most beloved neighbours on the Square. Viewers were left in floods of tears as Julie and Phil are willed on to tell Nigel to “let go”, and were left speechless in the final scenes of the episode, which sees Phil and Julie sob together moments after Nigel’s death.
And it is clear that fans were also bowled over by Nigel’s final moments as they flocked to social media to pay tribute to Nigel in his final scenes. One user penned: “I can’t stop crying at tonight’s EastEnders.”
A second user added: “Just finished watching EastEnders and I’m crying like a baby.” Meanwhile a third added: “What a beautiful ending for Nigel, loved the part of him on the beach chatting to Phil; I’m glad Phil made it just in time.”
A fourth also said: “I was an emotional wreck after watching Nigel’s final episode for the 2nd time. A huge congratulations to everyone involved in tonight’s emotional and heartfelt episode.” Several other accounts paid tribute to actor Paul for his storyline, commending him for the excellent portrayal of living with dementia.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the airing of the final episode, Paul said he had worked with charities to channel what it was like to live with dementia, admitting the last few weeks were difficult for him.
“I think it’s a hard watch, but many, many people have friends and relatives who are either going through this, or they know someone who is caring for someone who is going through this, and hopefully it shows that world how hard it can be, but also how joyous it can be at times,” he said. “The directors and producers also gave us the space to bring our own emotions to it, and our own research.
“It was important that we showed all aspects of dementia. And I know Dementia UK worked very closely with the team to ensure that.”
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