5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Grant Mitchell's emotional return as Nigel Bates dies
Ravi heads to therapy, Max and Cindy grow closer and there's a big birthday celebration.
An incredibly emotional week on EastEnders is fast-approaching, as Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) stages his return for a very sad occasion.
After being summoned by son Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), who has warned him of Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) declining health, Grant's concerns spread towards brother Phil (Steve McFadden) too.
The brothers have an emotional conversation at the beach, in the moments leading up to Nigel's death.
Elsewhere, Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) receives a diagnosis amid his mental health battle, Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) make things official, and Big Mo Harris (Laila Morse) celebrates a big occasion.
Here's everything you need to know about the episodes of EastEnders airing between Monday, 27 and Thursday, 30 April.
5 EastEnders spoilers for next week
1. Grant Mitchell returns and has concerns for brother Phil
Following son Mark's frantic voicemail message to inform him of Nigel's deteriorating health, Grant races into Albert Square and immediately catches the attention of his family. But it's not just Nige' who is a cause for concern, as Mark expresses his fears for Phil too.
The last time Grant and Phil were together was during the latter's mental health crisis, and now he fears that he's back to square one with his recovery.
Having not been in the same room together for a decade - since they laid matriarch Peggy to rest - Phil, Grant and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) sit down to lay their cards on the table. It's an emotional and tense reunion, and results in Phil deciding to cut his family off.
He orders Sam and Mark out of the door, and she worries that only Grant can help him.
Having avoided visiting Nigel, Phil is in a bad place and has become convinced that Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) and the rest of the clan don't need his support. Grant races after his brother, who is in search of a special item relating to Nigel's past, but it soon gets to a point where he has to choose whether to support Phil or be there in Nigel's final moments.
The brothers share a heated exchange at the beach, and in the aftermath of Nigel's death, Phil struggles to keep it together.
Grant catches up with Linda, and the pair have an open conversation about Phil.
2. Nigel Bates dies following his battle with pneumonia and young-onset dementia
At the care home, Grant is stunned to realise that Nigel has declined far beyond what he ever imagined, and can't believe that Phil didn't tell him sooner. He has a heart-t0-heart with Sam, and is shocked to hear that Julie decides it's time to stop her husband's treatment and ensure his final days are as comfortable as possible.
Phil hasn't seen Nigel in weeks, and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) tries to intervene before it's too late.
Grant keeps vigil by his best mate's bedside, and is shocked when he unexpectedly awakens and asks him to retrieve the special item. In search of it, he confronts Phil.
When Billy and Mark head to No. 55 to try and make another breakthrough, they're shocked to see that both of the brothers are missing. Grant has followed Phil to the beach, but as he approaches his brother, Julie calls to say that Nigel doesn't have long left.
It's a race against time to get back to the care home, and the pair experience a number of setbacks en route. As Julie and the residents gather to say their goodbyes, Nigel holds on to say goodbye to Phil - who makes it in just enough time.
Very sadly, he dies, and the community pulls together to organise something nice for Julie and Phil - a celebration of Nigel.
Julie is heartbroken, but warmed by the residents' reaction.
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3. Ravi Gulati receives a diagnosis
After self-harming again, and then refusing to allow partner Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) and children Avani (Aaliyah James) and Davinder "Nugget" (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) to leave their flat, it became clear that Ravi was at an all time low.
From next week, he's staying in a mental health unit, where practitioners come to the conclusion that he has complex PTSD.
A therapy plan is put in place.
4. Max Branning and Cindy Beale grow closer
Time is ticking for Max to find his bride before the big flash-forward reveal in January next year, and it's looking increasingly likely that it could be Cindy who walks down the aisle!
Cindy agrees to a date with him - despite having no intention of turning up – but when she spots him having a chat with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), jealousy bubbles beneath the surface and she decides to meet him.
The two have to tread carefully, and decide to keep things a secret. However, when Lauren almost catches them in the act, they decide to go public when the time is right.
How will the Beales and the Brannings respond?
5. Big Mo celebrates her 90th birthday
Pictures for next week show an emotional Slater gathering, with the community rallying together to organise a 90th birthday celebration for Big Mo.
She's shocked to see balloons and banners adorning the pub, and wraps her arms around Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) who has seemingly pulled the whole event together.
Mo has previously celebrated her birthday in February, could it be that Mo let the big milestone slip under the radar amid the chaos involving Jasmine's trial?
Perhaps she just wants a second birthday, which would be very Mo!
Read more:
- EastEnders first-look pictures reveal Grant's return – and Mitchell family reunion after 10 years
- EastEnders reveals Vicki and Zack's blackmailer in early BBC iPlayer release - and it's not who you'd expect
- EastEnders blackmail intensifies as Vicki Fowler accuses innocent locals in early BBC iPlayer release
- EastEnders airs shock passion for Zack Hudson in early BBC iPlayer release - and it's not Vicki Fowler
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Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
