Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has mistakenly offended Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) in EastEnders.

As viewers of the soap know, Julie and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) are caring for Nige, whose condition is rapidly declining.

Having returned to Albert Square at Christmas, we saw the 90s legend at his absolute lowest following a young-onset dementia diagnosis.

 

 

Struggling more and more with his memory – he’s confused two Walford youngsters for his stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) and also mistook Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) for his ex-wife Debbie (Nicola Duffett) during the Square’s VE Day celebrations.

Earlier this week he asked Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) to help him locate the late Dot Cotton (June Brown).

 

 

Julie and Phil have since struggled to see eye to eye, constantly bickering over what’s best for him, and clearly she’s reached breaking point.

Julie realises she’s burning a candle at both ends
In tonight’s episode, Walford High had a power cut and Julie offered to tutor Lily.

 

 

Poor Lily has had a rough time of late, what with her mum Stacey (Lacey Turner) deciding to pack her bags and move to Brazil.

Things were going well… until Nigel strolled in.

He began to take a trip down memory lane, saying that she reminded him of a girl that he went to school with. The reason why? She was a ‘bit of a hussy’ too.

 

 

Nige’ went on to mention that Lily’s life would improve when she corrected the ‘mistake’ she’d made when she was younger.

He was, very sadly, referring to her infant daughter Charli.

Lily reacts badly to Nigel’s comments
Although she knew of Nigel’s condition, Lily played down her hurt when Julie reassured her that he didn’t mean it.

However, Nige’s comments left the teen wondering whether he genuinely, deep down, meant it.

And what if other people felt the same?

When she arrived home early, Kat (Jessie Wallace) reassured her that Nigel will have meant no ill intent, while Jean decided that she was going to face off with Julie and work out what had happened.

Julie breaks down
Jean stormed in and Julie immediately broke down. She’s taking on more than she can chew, and it’s clearly taking its toll on her.

Phil is away visiting his daughter Louise, and she’s become Nigel’s primary carer. She now knew that she shouldn’t have offered to help Lily out.

During a much-needed cuppa, the two chatted about caring for loved ones, and Julie said that she felt very much alone. She’d left her home in Scotland to move back to Albert Square, and had nobody.

Luckily, Jean was on hand to reassure her that she was only across the road if she ever needed an escape.