Very EMOTIONAL News!!! EastEnders airs poignant final twist at Nigel's funeral in early iPlayer release

EastEnders has aired poignant scenes as Walford says goodbye to Nigel Bates at his funeral. Nigel sadly passed away last month in a care home, with his wife Julie and his best friend Phil Mitchell by his side – bringing to an end his important dementia storyline.

In today’s episode, we followed Phil, Julie, Grant and Sam as they prepared for the funeral – then saw Mark chained up in a warehouse. The previous night Mark was thrown in a van and kidnapped by Delaney and his men, who wanted the money that he owed.

sam mitchell, grant mitchell, billy mitchell, phil mitchell, eastenders

Phil was struggling but stepped up and urged his warring siblings to stop arguing on this sad day. He was then moved when Julie gifted him Nigel’s old watch, suggesting that he wears it at the funeral.

Nigel’s stepdaughter Clare and Julie’s son Josh then arrived ahead of the funeral, and the community gathered to pay their respects. But as the coffin was put into the hearse, worried Grant finally got a call from Mark and was stunned to hear Delaney on the other end of the phone.

Delaney demanded his money in full otherwise Mark would get hurt, and when he heard Sam’s voice, he also wanted what she owes him – and she revealed she once stole an expensive chain from him.

Grant insisted that Nigel would want them to save Mark, so Billy drove the hearse and the Mitchells to the address, leaving Julie and the rest of Walford very confused.

At the warehouse, the Mitchell siblings found Mark, telling Delaney that Grant has the money. But when talk turned to Sam’s debt, things got violent, so she made a huge decision and gave Delaney Nigel’s watch to get Mark released, leaving Phil devastated.

grant mitchell, phil mitchell, sam mitchell, eastenders

With Mark in tow, the Mitchells headed to the church in the hearse, with Vicki relieved that her brother was alive. During the service, Julie used her eulogy to read a touching poem that Nigel once wrote with Clare.

Phil and Grant then stood up and shared some funny memories about Nigel, with the brothers finally coming together to say an emotional goodbye to their dear friend.

Back in Walford, Sam dragged Phil and Grant to The Arches, where she told her brothers that she never gave Nigel’s watch away, having handed Delaney Billy’s watch instead.

As Julia’s Theme played once more, the Mitchell trio had a rare moment of unity and raised a toast to Nigel. “To Nige,” Phil said. “Our mate, and unforgettable.”