Prepare for a week of gripping drama in Walford as secrets unravel, lives hang in the balance, and unexpected alliances form!

1. Nigel’s Despair Deepens, Phil’s World Crumbles: This week sees Nigel’s battle with dementia take a heart-wrenching turn. Confused and disoriented, he mistakes the pharmacy for his old workplace, leading to a distressing outburst. Jean’s concern grows as Phil tries to downplay the incident. Next week, as Nigel’s condition visibly deteriorates, Phil’s protective instincts kick in, but his overbearing approach leaves Nigel feeling trapped. A well-meaning suggestion from Yolande for Nigel to dress as the Easter Bunny backfires spectacularly when Nigel, in a desperate attempt to prove his competence, mistakes Hope for Clare, triggering a tense confrontation with Harvey. This incident, coupled with Nigel’s increasingly erratic behavior, forces Gene, Harvey, and Ian to confront Phil about Nigel’s well-being. Cornered and unable to maintain the facade any longer, Phil finally reveals Nigel’s devastating dementia diagnosis, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community.

2. Teddy’s Obsession Unearths Dark Secrets: The unsettling truth about Shireen’s disappearance continues to cast a long shadow. While Harry was initially the prime suspect in his ex-girlfriend’s vanishing four years prior, suspicion has now firmly landed on Nicola, who orchestrated the crime by paying a man named Benji. Nicola’s carefully constructed lies to Sharon and Zach about Teddy’s supposed involvement are crumbling as Teddy and Junior forge ahead with their mysterious project in Dartford – the very location where Shireen’s body is buried. Despite Nicola’s desperate pleas for him to prioritize his family, Teddy remains fixated on his secret endeavor. Next week, Nicola’s anxieties escalate when she overhears a clandestine phone call between Teddy and Junior, confirming his continued involvement. Teddy’s stubborn refusal to abandon the project despite Nicola’s mounting panic sets the stage for a dangerous collision. Further complicating matters, Teddy enlists newcomer Ross to assist him, accelerating the project’s progress. Nicola’s attempt to feign support for Teddy takes a horrifying turn when she arrives at the Dartford site and makes the chilling discovery of its true purpose – Shireen’s final resting place.

3. Avani’s Isolation Deepens in the Wake of Tragedy: Avani’s unconventional attempts to support her grieving friend Lily after Martin’s death have backfired spectacularly. Her reliance on weed and alcohol as a coping mechanism, coupled with the disastrous appearance of her drug dealers at Amy’s party, has left her ostracized. Despite her efforts to explain that she had no part in inviting the dealers and had discarded the drugs, Amy remains unforgiving, leaving Avani feeling increasingly isolated as both Amy and Lily ignore her messages. Seeking solace, Priya encourages Avani to have lunch with Barney at McClunkies. Will this attempt at reconciliation offer Avani a path back into her friends’ lives, or will the shadow of her past actions continue to haunt her?

4. Kojo Yearns for Independence, Faces Workplace Challenges: As the Knight family eagerly anticipates their return to the newly rebuilt Vic, Kojo’s lack of enthusiasm raises eyebrows. On Tuesday, he drops a bombshell, revealing his desire to move out and live independently. While Gina champions his need for autonomy, George remains hesitant, unconvinced that Kojo is ready for such a significant step. Determined to prove his maturity and self-sufficiency, Kojo takes matters into his own hands and secures a trial shift at the Arches with Harry. However, the prospect of Kojo working alongside Harry, given their contrasting personalities and potential for conflict, leaves room for concern. Surprisingly, Thursday brings a wave of relief as Kojo’s trial shift proves to be a resounding success. He and Harry form an unexpected bond, leading to a permanent job offer for Kojo and an invitation to Nicola’s birthday celebration. Has Kojo finally found his footing, or are there still unforeseen challenges lurking around the corner?

5. Nigel’s Secret Pact Shocks Phil, Leading to a Desperate Search: The end of Monday’s episode delivers a devastating blow to Phil when he learns the true extent of Nigel’s despair. Nigel has made a secret pact to end his own life if his dementia worsens to a point where he loses all sense of self. Tuesday sees a heated argument erupt between the two friends at number 55, with Phil refusing to acknowledge Nigel’s wishes and storming out in anger. Meanwhile, Gene, now fully aware of Nigel’s diagnosis, shares a heartfelt conversation with Phil at his house, but Nigel’s dark secret remains unspoken. Seeking guidance, Phil visits Linda at the Knights’ residence (formerly number 25), where she encourages him to support Nigel, despite his controversial plan. Inspired by their conversation, Phil returns home to reconcile with Nigel, only to be met with an empty house and a gut-wrenching goodbye letter on the table. Nigel has vanished, leaving Phil frantic with worry about his friend’s intentions.

6. Nicola’s Desperate Measures to Conceal Her Crime: The impending start of construction at the Dartford site on Tuesday sends Nicola into a spiral of panic. The discovery of Shireen’s body is a looming threat, and she desperately tries to secure Benji’s help in concealing the evidence. When Benji proves unreliable, Nicola turns to a surprising ally – Ravi. Offering him a substantial sum of $10,000, she enlists his help in her desperate scheme. Wednesday marks Nicola’s birthday, but despite the efforts of Teddy, Harry, and Barney to celebrate, her mind is consumed by her clandestine plans. Summoning Ravi to Wolford East, she finalizes her offer and, under a veil of lies to Harry about her whereabouts, manages to acquire a customer’s van from the Arches to aid in her cover-up. Will Ravi agree to become an accomplice in Nicola’s crime, and can they successfully hide the evidence before it’s too late?

7. Phil’s Frantic Search and a Glimmer of Hope: Wednesday sees Phil embark on a desperate search for Nigel after discovering his disappearance. With Linda’s assistance, they manage to locate him, and a heartfelt reconciliation ensues, with Nigel agreeing to return to number 55. However, despite their renewed bond, Nigel’s resolve regarding his end-of-life plan remains unshaken. He breaks down, reiterating his desire to maintain control and have the option to end his life before dementia completely erases his identity. Phil’s attempts to dissuade him prove futile. Later, a seemingly innocuous conversation with Yolande in the cafe sparks a new idea in Phil’s mind. Could this chance encounter provide him with the key to changing Nigel’s perspective and preventing a tragedy?

8. Phil’s Overbearing Nature Tests Nigel’s Resilience: Despite Nigel’s vulnerability and his openness about his fears, Phil’s controlling tendencies resurface. His overzealous approach to caring for Nigel begins to suffocate him, eroding the sense of normalcy he desperately clings to. As Thursday unfolds, Phil makes a unilateral decision that further undermines Nigel’s independence, informing Kathy that Nigel can no longer work at the cafe – the one remaining aspect of his life that provides him with a sense of purpose and usefulness. How will Nigel react to Phil’s latest overstep, and will it push him closer to enacting his devastating plan?

9. Elsewhere in Walford: Zach’s Humiliation and Barney’s Dilemma: Away from the central dramas, Zach faces a wave of humiliation when Barney refuses his help in dealing with Tommy and Joel, who mocked and filmed Barney’s boxing debut. Adding another layer of complexity, viewers are now aware that Zach is Barney’s biological father, a secret that threatens to unravel their already strained relationship. Meanwhile, Barney finds himself in a predicament when Avani accepts his invitation to his mother’s birthday party. Given their recent tensions and Avani’s social isolation, will this unexpected attendance lead to further awkwardness and potential conflict?

Next week in EastEnders promises a rollercoaster of emotions, with lives irrevocably changed by devastating secrets, heartbreaking decisions, and unexpected twists. Don’t miss a single moment!