EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
All the changes to life in Albert Square you need to keep up with.
We're finally in 2026 in EastEnders. 2025 saw some major exits, including the deaths of Nish Panesar and Martin Fowler, along with the departure of Stacey Slater. Elsewhere, we experienced some major comebacks with the returns of Zoe Slater, Anthony Trueman (RIP), and Max Branning. RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months. So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders. EastEnders cast 2026 The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character's first appearance. Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell Ross Kemp as Grant Mitchell Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell Gemma Bissix as Clare Bates Thomas Law as Peter Beale Karen Henthorn as Julie Bates Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell Laila Morse as Mo Harris Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman Gillian Wright as Jean Slater Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox Diane Parish as Denise Fox Grace as Janet Mitchell Jake Wood as Max Branning Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale Scott Maslen as Jack Branning Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell Pierre Counihan-Moullier as Oscar Branning Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell Tameka Empson as Kim Fox Lillia Turner as Lily Slater Frankie Day as Ricky Branning Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce Kellie Bright as Linda Carter Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox Harry Farr as Ollie Carter Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler Jake McNally as Louie Beale Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox Tony Clay as Callum Highway Maylo Miller as Mica Fox Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar-Unwin Arthur Gentleman as Albie Watts James Farrar as Zack Hudson Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe Lois Hawkins as Annie Carter Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes Heather Peace as Eve Panesar-Unwin Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder "Nugget" Gulati Colin Salmon as George Knight Francesca Henry as Gina Knight Sophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart Aaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell Dayo Koleosho as Kojo Asare Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard Joshua Vaughn as Josh Goodwin And here are the changes to the cast coming soon... DEPARTING Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) When might Sam Mitchell be returning? Summer 2026. Kim Medcalf has reprised the role of Sam Mitchell for a short stint since December 2025. The character returned following the discovery of a lump in her breast, which turned out to be breast cancer and required a lumpectomy. Sam is now undergoing further tests and treatment, but will she decide to part on better terms with son Ricky Branning (Frankie Day) and brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)? The character appeared set to leave in February but decided to stay in Walford to continue her cancer treatment with her family at her side. Radio Times still understands that Kim Medcalf is only back for a limited stint, but it remains to be seen when and how Sam will leave Walford. Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) When is Grant Mitchell leaving? Summer 2026. Ross Kemp has reprised his role as Grant Mitchell for a short stint, but he is not back for good. The character will be one of many mourning Nigel Bates following his death, but he'll also be attempting to build bridges with his estranged son Mark Fowler. Will Grant leave Walford more popular than he arrived this time? Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. RETURNING Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) When is Eddie Knight returning? 4th May 2026. George's evil and racist adopted father, Eddie Knight, is returning to EastEnders in the coming weeks, having been imprisoned in 2024 for killing George's biological father, Henry Asare, years prior. George was pivotal in getting Eddie sent down around the time of Eddie's wife, Gloria's, death. An EastEnders spokesperson told Radio Times: "We can confirm Christopher Fairbank will be returning to EastEnders for a short stint later this spring." So, what brings Eddie back into George's life, and will he manage to cause more harm to the Knight clan? Well, he's not doing too well in hospital, but will George and Nicola let him into their lives? Josh Saunders (Jon Lee) When is Josh Saunders returning? May 2026. Julie Bates's son, Josh Saunders, will visit from China for the funeral of his stepfather, Nigel Bates. S Club 7 star Jon Lee was first introduced in 1997 as a love interest for Nigel's stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), who will also stage a return for the funeral. The pair left with Nigel and Julie for Scotland in 1998. Ahead of his return, Lee said: "It was quite surreal stepping back on to Albert Square after so many years as it’s so familiar to so many of us. It was lovely to see my onscreen family again". Bissix added, “When I returned earlier this year, we always knew Clare had to come back for Nigel’s funeral. He meant so much to her, and it felt right to be there for the conclusion of his story, as everyone came together to say their final goodbyes”. Joel Marshall (Max Murray) When is Joel Marshall returning? Summer 2026. EastEnders has confirmed that Max Murray will soon be reprising the role of teenage criminal Joel Marshall. The character exited the soap in January after being sent to a young offenders' institute following his grievous bodily harm of Vicki Fowler. Now, as Vicki prepares to marry Joel's father, Ross, Joel will soon return to both of their lives. A BBC spokesperson has told Radio Times today, 30 April: "We can confirm that Max Murray will be returning to EastEnders." This comes following reports from Digital Spy that Murray is already filming new scenes at the soap's set in Elstree, Hertfordshire, and will be back on our screens within weeks. Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) When is Libby Fox returning? 2026. Yes! Denise Fox's younger daughter, Libby Fox, will be back on Albert Square at some point in 2026, as she appeared in the 2027 flash-forward episode, once again played by Belinda Owusu. The episode presents some potential brides for Max, which include Libby's older sister, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), and even Denise herself, given that Jack was calling the bride and Denise's phone is one of the ones to ring - despite Denise being absent from the episode, having apparently walked out on Jack the night before. Is the reason for Libby's reappearance that her sister or mother is getting married? We'll have to wait and see. Read More: 21 EastEnders questions we have following that epic Max Branning flashforward episode WHO MAY BE RETURNING? Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) When is Stacey Slater returning? TBC. Lacey Turner took an extended break from the show recently, with Stacey departing for a new life in Brazil alongside her brother, Sean Slater, with her two youngest children, Arthur and Hope. However, Turner has affirmed that she will return to the soap in the future, but no firm return date has been set. So, expect to be without Stacey for a while yet! Which characters departed EastEnders in 2026? The following characters departed EastEnders in 2026. Nish Panesar (Guest) Dr Anthony Trueman Joel Marshall Jake Moon (Guest) Chrissie Watts (Guest) Lola Pearce (Guest) Cora Cross (Guest) Sandra Goodwin (Guest) Nigel Bates Which characters departed EastEnders in 2025? The following character departed EastEnders in 2025. Nish Panesar Mr Lister (guest) Councillor Donald Barker (guest) Garry Hobbs (guest) Minty Peterson (guest) Peggy Mitchell (guest) Eric Mitchell (guest) Angie Watts (guest) Reiss Colwell Martin Fowler Grant Mitchell (guest) Brenda Collins (guest) Gaz (guest) Andy (guest) Ruby Allen Roman Allen Tom "Rocky" Cotton (guest) Terry Cant (guest) Bex Fowler (guest) Julia Fowler Bianca Jackson Sonia Fowler Felix Baker Bernadette Taylor Jay Brown Jonno Highway (Guest) Hope Fowler Arthur Fowler, Jr. Stacey Slater Stuart Highway (Guest) Ben Mitchell (Guest) Norma Unwin (Guest) Tobias "Okie" Okyere Junior Knight Anna Knight Freddie Slater Teddy Mitchell Barry Evans (Guest) Debbie Bates (Guest) Pat Evans (Guest) Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024? The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024. Ashton (Guest) Harold Martin (Guest) Sam Mitchell Keanu Taylor (Guest, hallucination) Lucas Johnson (Guest) Ben Mitchell Gloria Knight (Guest) Eddie Knight (Guest) Keeley Wainwright (Guest) Britney Wainwright Dolly Dean-Hudson Whitney Dean Monique Knight (Guest) Xavier Knight (Guest) Karen Taylor (Guest) Stevie Mitchell Debbie Colwell (Guest) Ayesha Siddhu (Guest) Dean Wicks Chrissie Watts (Guest) Jake Moon (Guest) Jane Beale (Guest) Bobby Beale Pastor Gideon Clayton Lola Pearce-Brown (Guest) Joe Wicks (Guest) Holly (Guest) David Wicks (Guest) Micky Miller (Guest) Nancy Carter (Guest, fantasy) Lee Carter (Guest, fantasy) Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023? The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2023. DCI Samantha Keeble (Guest) Ricky Butcher (Guest) Scarlett Butcher Edward "Jed" Chadwick (Guest) Ryan Malloy (Guest) Dr Ash Kaur Vi Highway Shifty Shiv (Guest) Roxy Mitchell (Guest) Duncan Boyd (Guest) Lola Pearce-Brown Lauren Branning (Guest) Louie Beale (Guest) Finlay Baker Jo Cotton (Guest) Peggy Taylor (Guest) Lisa Fowler (Guest) Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb (Guest) Graham Foster (Guest) Dorian Gates (Guest) Nadine Keller (Guest) Theo Hawthorne Karen Taylor Mitch Baker Bailey Baker Mia Atkins Mackenzie Atkins Keanu Taylor Tom "Rocky" Cotton Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022? The following characters departed EastEnders in 2022. Iqra Ahmed Mila Marwa Kioni Marwa Gray Atkins Keegan Baker Tiffany Butcher Isaac Baptiste Aaron Monroe Nancy Carter Avery Baker Rainie Highway Roland Highway Stuart Highway Dana Monroe Frankie Lewis Dr Nina Gupta Kheerat Panesar Lofty Holloway (Guest) Mary Smith (Guest) Disa O'Brien (Guest) Ian Beale (Guest) Colin Russell (Guest) Barry Clark (Guest) Kirsty "Dotty" Cotton Jada Lennox Alyssa Lennox Mick Carter Janine Carter Shirley Carter EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders confirms return of S Club 7 star for Nigel Bates's emotional funeral scenes
A familiar face is returning to Walford after 28 years.
S Club 7 star Jon Lee is reprising his former EastEnders role after almost three decades away. Lee, who shot to fame in the late '90s as part of the pop group responsible for hits such as "Don't Stop Movin'" and "Reach", starred in 18 episodes of the BBC soap between 1997 and 1998. His comeback, will coincide with the funeral of beloved character Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who passed away earlier this week in heartbreaking scenes. With wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and best pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) by his side, Nige' envisioned his final moments to be taking place in a idilic beachside setting. His character Josh Saunders is Julie's son, first introduced as a love interest for Nigel's stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), who will also stage a return for the funeral. Ahead of his return, Lee said: "It was quite surreal stepping back on to Albert Square after so many years as it’s so familiar to so many of us. It was lovely to see my onscreen family again". Bissix added: “When I returned earlier this year, we always knew Clare had to come back for Nigel’s funeral. He meant so much to her, and it felt right to be there for the conclusion of his story, as everyone came together to say their final goodbyes”. He initially prevented a group of bullies from harassing her, and she spent the following weeks trying to gain his attention. When Clare realised his maternal connection to their teacher Julie, she was mortified and called off the relationship. However, some weeks later, the pair reconciled and despite the odd dynamic, was pleased when Nigel pursued his own romance with Julie. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Before long, Julie announced her plans to move to Scotland, something which angered Josh's father Eliot. He tried to force him into having a Bar Mitzvah ceremony before he departed for the new beginning, despite his lack of interest in the Jewish religion. Eventually, in a bid to appease his family, he went ahead with the coming-of-age ritual, which was attended by Clare. She was devastated to see him leave with Julie, though at the last minute, Nigel asked if they could join them. Upon Clare's return a decade later, she told Dot Branning (June Brown) that Nige' had become more fond of Josh as they grew older. As we now know, their complex relationship stems from Clare's decision to sell her late mother Debbie's (Nicola Duffett) jewellery. Ahead of Nigel's death, Julie had told Phil that Josh was working in China and therefore couldn't offer his support. Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs emotional Phil Mitchell scenes in the wake of Nigel Bates's death in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Thursday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Walford grieved one of their finest in today's episode of EastEnders, as news spread of Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) death. Bradley reprised his role in December 2024 after a 26 year absence, and as the weeks rolled by, it became apparent that he was hiding something. He eventually chose to divulge the fact he had been diagnosed with young-onset dementia to old friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), and the men quickly rekindled their childhood friendship. As Nigel's condition worsened, Phil promised to stand by him. However, in recent months, Nige's condition rapidly worsened and he was forced to move into a care home. Phil believed that he'd betrayed his mate, and chose not to join the other residents in visiting. When Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) arrived back in Walford, he feared that his brother had taken a turn for the worse and that he was on the brink of another spate of poor mental health. This was only intensified when he discovered Phil scouring a beach searching for a specific type of stone that Nigel had asked for. He convinced him to say his final goodbyes, and the two had an eventful trip to the care home. After a series of setbacks, Phil hitched a ride on the back of a pizza delivery motorbike, and was sat with Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) as Nigel slipped away. In today's episode, the pair remained at the facility as the sun began to rise. Julie said she was ready to leave, as her husband was no longer there. She reflected on the times she had with Nigel, but had accepted that his spirit had left. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Back in Albert Square, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) and the Slater clan pulled together a last-minute celebration of his life, gathering as many residents together to watch the comedy thriller film he'd produced last Christmas. Julie was warmed by the gesture, though Phil watched on from afar and eventually retreated to his house. He peered into the empty living room, glancing at the armchair which he'd spent many a long day sitting in. He then looked at the picture of Nigel on the fireplace, and knew that he wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't going to decline again. After grabbing a lighter, he wheeled the furniture out into the street and torched it. His concerned family watched on, but Grant could see the reasoning behind his actions and urged everyone to join Phil back inside of the house for a makeshift party. Memories of Nigel were shared, and when Grant recalled Nigel's youth in the '70s, everyone stood up to dance. In a change to the usual map of the Thames and EastEnders theme tune, the credits rolled over a picture of Phil and Nigel, and to the sound of The Jam. Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders confirms villainous character's return – and they're already back filming months after exit
The actor bowed out in January, but will be back.
Max Murray is returning to EastEnders, just months after troubled Joel Marshall made his last appearance. The character's sentencing, which came after he was found guilty of grievous bodily harm, voyeurism, and producing and distributing indecent images of a child, aired off-screen earlier this month and Murray didn't reprise his role for these scenes. A BBC spokesperson has told Radio Times today, 30 April: "We can confirm that Max Murray will be returning to EastEnders." This comes following reports from Digital Spy that Murray is already filming new scenes at the soap's set in Elstree, Hertfordshire, and will be back on our screens within weeks. During Joel's January court appearance, it became clear that despite the testimonies given by victims Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James), he couldn't see the error of his ways. This proved too much for Vicki, who rushed out of the courtroom in tears, fearing that her attacker would never face justice for his crimes. As viewers will recall, he brutally assaulted her and was left for dead following the ordeal. After some reassurance from Avani – who he secretly recorded himself sleeping with before shaming her for falling pregnant with his child – she returned to court and faced Joel. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. He laughed in Avani's face as she delivered her statement, and told the court that he felt he'd been repeatedly failed by his dad and Vicki, who had paid off another of his victims. Joel said that they had been a terrible example to him, and as a result, couldn't decipher right from wrong. When the judge came to give her verdict, she delivered some surprising news. Joel had decided to change his plea to guilty. While this was somewhat of a relief to Vicki, she couldn't help but feel saddened that their relationship had come to such a horrific ending. She also dreaded his impending sentencing, worried about what it might mean for her future with fiancé Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw). The two have faced the prospect of his eventual return in recent episodes, with Ross informing Vicki that he was only sentenced to six months. While she said she'd support whatever his wishes would be for Joel upon his release, she stated that she didn't want him back in her home. He vowed to make things right and to sort alternative living arrangements. Could his comeback mean that Vicki will be forced to spend time with her abuser? Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
All 76 times EastEnders has used emotional Julia's Theme - from Ian Beale's tears to Nigel Bates's death
The tears flow when this classic theme from Simon May replaces the traditional doof doof...
Simon May's theme tune to EastEnders is one of the most recognisable compositions in British music history. In fact, during a 2008 poll by PRS for Music, it was voted as more of an earworm than the national anthem. May was approached by creators Julia Smith and Tony Holland in 1984 to write the tune, originally opting for a more edgy piece that reflected the serial's apparent grittiness. This was vetoed, and a new piece that would "bring people in from the kitchen or garden" was chosen instead. He also crafted a "romantic pre-empt", which could be used in place of the traditional drum beats to conclude an episode. Named Julia's Theme, in tribute to Smith, it features several slow piano buildups that can allow for it to be cut at any given point. It has become synonymous with the tragic, heartwarming, tender or emotional moments from the BBC soap's 41-year history, with fans often speculating which moment will be awarded the treatment. View oEmbed on the source website Here, as it is used once more in the soap, Radio Times looks back at all 76 times Julia's Theme has been used, plus the alternative arrangements we've heard from time to time. Every time EastEnders has used Julia's Theme... 1. Ian cries to grandmother Lou Beale (1985) The first use of Julia’s Theme is intended to provide an emotional backing to this sweet family scene between a teenage Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and his steely grandmother, Lou Beale (Anna Wing). Fitting that Ian is the first to get the theme, and he is the longest-running character in the show's history. 2. Sue Osman breaks down to her husband Ali after the death of their son (1985) A heartbreaking moment for original cafe owners Sue (Sandy Ratcliff) and Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih), who discovered their son Hassan had died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 3. Sue Osman holds baby Annie Smith (1985) Having recently suffered the devastating loss of baby Hassan, Sue holds the infant Annie, daughter of Mary ‘The Punk’ Smith (Linda Davidson). 4. Den Watts and Michelle Fowler hide the paternity of her unborn baby (1985) EastEnders’ first big mystery surrounded Michelle Fowler’s (Susan Tully) baby daddy, and while the local landlord impregnating his teenage daughter’s schoolmate would be deeply controversial by today’s standards, the producers of 1985 thought it warranted a Julia’s Theme. The pair met at the canal, with the arrival of Roly the dog cementing to viewers that Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) was Michelle's secret fella. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 5. Pauline Fowler has a heart-to-heart with son Mark on Southend Beach (1985) An emotional reunion occurs between Pauline (Wendy Richard) and her errant son, Mark Fowler (David Scarboro), on the beach of Southend in Essex after he spent much time away from Walford. 6. Lofty Holloway asks Michelle Fowler to marry him (1986) Michelle’s saga continues as barman Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt) pops the question to her. 7. Michelle Fowler agrees to marry Lofty Holloway (1986) After a long and complicated road, Michelle finally agreed to marry softie Lofty Holloway in search of a simple family life. 8. Lofty Holloway and Michelle Fowler share a kiss (1986) Perhaps by this point, Julia’s Theme should’ve been renamed Michelle’s Theme. 9. Sue Osman tells Michelle Fowler that she's had a false pregnancy (1986) Another tragic time for Sue as she reveals to Michelle that she has experienced a false pregnancy in her difficult journey with motherhood. 10. Den Watts wishes Michelle Fowler good luck for her wedding the next day (1986) Like most soap weddings, this one didn’t go to plan, and Den’s brief encounter with Michelle on the eve of her wedding led to her jilting poor Lofty at the altar the following day. 11. Arthur Fowler returns from prison (1987) Having stolen the local charity money and suffered a nervous breakdown, Arthur (Bill Treacher) spent a spell in prison but finally came home and was reunited with his family. 12. Dot Cotton and Ethel Skinner reminisce about the war (1987) While caring for baby Vicki, the Walford pensioners reflect on their very different experiences of wartime Britain in this two-hander episode. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read More: EastEnders two-handers ranked: All 24 episodes, from Pat & Peggy to Den & Angie 13. Magda Czajkowski asks Simon Wicks to move in with her (1987) Spirited caterer Magda (Kathryn Apanowicz) solidified her new romance with roguish Wicksy (Nick Berry) by asking him to move in with her - shame it wouldn’t last long. 14. Arthur Fowler turns down Christine Hewitt... but kisses her goodbye (1992) Arthur should’ve known better than to pursue an adulterous relationship with his gardening assistant, Mrs Hewitt (Elizabeth Power). 15. Mark Fowler takes Mandy Salter back to his family home for Christmas dinner (1992) In a touching end to the Christmas Day episode from 1992, an empathetic Mark (now Todd Carty) took troubled teen Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) back to an incredibly crowded but joyous festive scene at the Fowler house. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 16. Pauline Fowler and Pat Butcher have a heart-to-heart after Pat ran over and killed a girl (1993) It was an eventful Christmas for Pat (Pam St Clement), who was drink-driving in her cab and took the life of a girl named Stephanie. Here she unloaded her feelings to her former sister-in-law, Pauline. 17. Nigel Bates tells stepdaughter Clare that her mother Debbie has died (1995) In one of EastEnders’ most tearjerking scenes, from a distance we see Nigel (Paul Bradley) sit his stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) down on a park bench and break the news to her that her mum Debbie has died in a traffic accident, and she collapses into his arms. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 18. Pauline Fowler walks away from husband Arthur's grave after his funeral (1996) A sad farewell to the Fowler patriarch, who died from a brain haemorrhage sustained during a prison riot. Arthur was recently remembered by Ian Beale, who explained the reasoning behind his bench in the Square Gardens to Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona). 19. Cindy Beale flees with her sons Steven and Peter (1996) Having endured a tortured marriage to Ian Beale and having cheated on him multiple times, Cindy (Michelle Collins) fled the UK with help from lover David Wicks (Michael French) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) but was forced to leave daughter Lucy behind as she fled on a train for a new life in Italy. 20. Grant, Courtney and Peggy Mitchell scatter Tiffany's ashes (1999) Heading to the Sussex coast in Peacehaven, Grant (Ross Kemp) and Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) take baby Courtney to say a final farewell to her mother Tiffany following her tragic death in a traffic collision on New Year’s Eve. 21. Bianca Butcher tearfully departs Walford for Manchester with son Liam Butcher (1999) Though this use of the theme marked Bianca's (Patsy Palmer) and Liam’s exits, the camera focuses in on poor Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), left to consider a life without his wife and son. 22. Frank and Peggy Butcher vow to fight Dan Sullivan for the Queen Vic (2000) Despite having lost a huge share of the Queen Victoria pub thanks to her son Phil (Steve McFadden), Peggy vows to put up a fight against the hard-nosed Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass) alongside her husband Frank (Mike Reid). 23. Sonia Jackson breaks down after giving her child Chloe up for adoption (2000) Fortunately for Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), she’d reunite with Chloe - now named Rebecca - just months later, and would eventually gain parental responsibility in 2005. 24. Roy and Pat Evans reconcile (2001) After the damage inflicted by her affair with and undying love for ex-husband Frank Butcher, Pat mended her marriage with husband Roy (Tony Caunter) at last. 25. Ian Beale and Laura Dunn marry (2001) Third time lucky for Ian, after his unions with Cindy and Mel (Tamzin Outhwaite) went down the pan. 25 years later, we know that this marriage didn’t go too smoothly either. Just two months after her divorce from the chippy owner, Laura (Hannah Waterman) tripped on one of her son Bobby’s toys on the staircase and died. 26. Jim Branning proposes to Dot Cotton (2001) Atop the London Eye, Jim Branning (John Bardon) chose the moment to pop the question to a surprised but touched Dot Cotton - and she accepted as they stood together looking over London. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 27. Peggy Mitchell says goodbye to Frank Butcher in Spain (2002) After hearing Frank’s plea for forgiveness and regrets over how their relationship ended, he asks for one final chance from Peggy. She concludes there’s too much water under the bridge, and they can never be with one another. 28. Sonia Jackson and Jamie Mitchell break up (2002) One of Walford’s most tortured pairings, Sonia and Jamie (Jack Ryder) parted ways - but not for the final time - following a period of terrible rows and Jamie’s fling with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). 29. Dr Anthony Trueman proposes to Zoe Slater (2002) If only we could’ve warned poor Zoe about how this one would turn out. Fast-forward 23 years, and their long-lost daughter Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) bludgeoned Anthony (Nicholas Bailey) over the head with a salt lamp, and Zoe was (briefly) sent to prison for the murder. 30. Little Mo Morgan returns from prison (2002) Having served time in prison for almost killing abusive husband Trevor Morgan (Alex Ferns), the meek but steely Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth) came back to Walford at last; however, she’d never be the same again. 31. Pauline and Martin Fowler return home after the departure of Mark (2003) "If you love me, let me go." A tragic final scene for Mark as he told tearful mum Pauline that his HIV medication was no longer working, and this would be the last time she’d see him alive. Just months later, news would reach Albert Square that he’d passed away following complications from AIDS. 32. Alfie Moon and Kat Slater walk away together after she jilts Andy Hunter at the altar (2003) With Alfie (Shane Richie) having interrupted her wedding to gangster Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs), Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) walked out of the church with soulmate Alfie, and the pair headed off down the road together after committing to each other at last. 33. Zoe Slater leaves Walford for Ibiza (2005) A fresh start for Zoe after the trauma of Den Watts's violent end, though not quite the one she expected. As we now know, she reunited with Anthony off-screen and fell pregnant with twins. Believing her daughter had died during childbirth, and that her son would have a better life without her, Zoe left behind a keyring from her Ibiza trip and ran out of the hospital. 34. Stacey Slater returns to Walford after her mother Jean's suicide attempt (2005) Not long after she arrived in Walford, we finally saw the upsetting dynamic between put-upon carer Stacey (Lacey Turner) and her mentally unwell mother Jean (Gillian Wright) as the latter struggled with bipolar disorder. Stacey emotionally returns home and stares at a photo of her absent brother Sean Slater - but he wouldn’t be absent for long. 35. Nana Moon dies in Alfie's arms (2005) A tragic moment for poor Alfie, who had been raised by his paternal grandmother. The two sat watching an animatronic dancing snowman, which conveniently ran out of battery as she died. 36. Grant and Courtney Mitchell leave Walford for a new life in Portugal (2006) The end of one of his longer return stints, Grant said goodbye to Walford following the end of his marriage to scheming wife Carla (Christianne Oliveira) and the end of his affair with Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), departing for a new life in Portugal with his daughter Courtney (Megan Jossa) - and he’s been based there ever since. 37. Martin and Sonia Fowler leave Walford for Manchester with daughter Rebecca (2007) What seemed like a definitive exit for the young Fowler clan actually just marked the end of James Alexandrou’s time as Martin. Seven years later, James Bye would take on the role. 38. Frank Butcher’s funeral (2008) As part of an emotional week of episodes in his honour, Frank Butcher was given a true Walford goodbye as his loved ones gathered, with soulmate Pat Evans being particularly emotional, dressed in red, and remembering some parting words he gave to her: “Take care of yourself, babe.” You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 39. Garry Hobbs and Dawn Swann leave Walford on a tugboat with her daughter Summer (2009) Where exactly were Garry (Ricky Groves) and Dawn (Kara Tointon) heading on that boat? Wherever the destination, it wasn’t a happy one. During a brief return in 2025, he explained that they’d travelled for a while and then separated. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 40. Dot and Rachel Branning lay flowers on Bradley's grave (2010) Following his heartbreaking death as part of the 25th anniversary live episode, Bradley was bid farewell by Walford in emotional scenes, and his step-grandmother, Dot, and mum Rachel (Pooky Quensel), laid flowers on his grave after the funeral. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 41. A secretly pregnant Amira Masood leaves Walford after learning her husband Syed is gay (2010) A truly nightmarish situation for Amira (Preeya Kalidas), who asked Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin) to keep quiet about her expectant baby after learning that her husband, Syed (Marc Elliot), was seeing Christian Clarke (John Partridge). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 42. Stacey Branning holds her daughter Lily after giving birth (2010) In a moment of pure joy and elation, Stacey holds her newborn daughter Lily - secretly the biological daughter of Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), but for now, officially, the daughter of her romance with Bradley. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 43. Syed Masood admits his feelings for Christian Clarke, and they make things official (2010) The climax of quite a rollercoaster ride for Syed, who had been disowned by his mother and was unaware that Amira was expecting their daughter. Of course, this was only just the beginning of the drama! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 44. Stacey Branning flees the country on a plane to Mexico with baby Lily (2010) Following a dramatic few years in Walford, being framed by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) for attempted murder and confessing to killing Archie Mitchell to his daughters, Stacey fled the law on a plane for a new life in Mexico with baby Lily - but not before Max Branning (Jake Wood) confessed his love to her one last time. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 45. Charlie Slater leaves Walford by train (2011) An unusual exit, as you’d have thought the black cab driver (played by Derek Martin) might have used his trusty taxi to head to his daughter Lynne’s house. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 46. Phil Mitchell and Shirley Carter leave for their honeymoon together after deciding not to marry (2011) After a wedding day that ended in the pair deciding marriage was not for them, Shirley (Linda Henry) and Phil's loved ones waved them off as they drove off, not ‘just married’. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 47. Kat and Alfie Moon are reunited with son Tommy following his kidnapping by Ronnie Branning (2011) A fitting use of the music following a particularly harrowing storyline. Ronnie Mitchell’s son James had died from SIDS, and in a moment of panic, she’d swapped the child with Tommy. After Ronnie (Samantha Womack) finally confessed to her crime, Kat and Alfie were joyfully reunited with their son. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 48. Jane Beale leaves Walford after the end of her marriage to Ian (2011) After the trials and tribulations of recent years, including Ian’s fling with Glenda Mitchell and her fight to become the mother to a baby, Jane and Ian’s marriage came to an end, and Jane walked out of Walford for escape. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 49. Jim Branning moves into a care home (2011) Following actor John Bardon’s stroke in 2008, the illness was written into the soap for Jim. Bardon’s retirement meant that Jim moved permanently into a care home three years later, in sad scenes for his family. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 50. Ricky Butcher leaves Walford after a goodbye to his family (2012) After an ill-advised case of adultery with former flame Mandy Salter, Ricky Butcher left Walford for a new job away from his heartbroken wife Bianca, who rejected him for the final time. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 51. Zainab Khan departs Walford with son Kamil Masood for Pakistan (2013) A painful exit for one of EastEnders’ most formidable characters, played by Nina Wadia. She realised that her reconciliation with husband Masood was never going to work, and moved away. Come back soon, Zainab! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 52. Jean Slater leaves Albert Square to live with husband Ollie Walters in Brighton (2013) Unlucky Jean Slater found family, friends and a new identity for herself in Walford, but chose to leave it all behind for love in the shape of kind Ollie (Tony O'Callaghan). She’d be back a few years later when it all went wrong. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 53. David Wicks leaves Walford after his split from Carol Jackson (2014) The childhood sweethearts' relationship broke down following a botched wedding and his subsequent heart attack. By the time he returned, Carol (Lindsey Coulson) had long since departed and ultimately decided that they would never work. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 54. Peter Beale and pregnant Lauren Branning leave Walford for New Zealand (2015) After discovering the truth about who killed Lucy Beale, Peter and Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) got a happy ending as they left Walford together via the tube station and were revealed to be expecting their first child, later named Louie Beale. This was the final appearance of Ben Hardy in the role of Peter. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 55. Kat and Alfie Moon leave Walford with their children for a new life in Spain (2015) This exit resulted in us getting the utterly bizarre Irish spin-off series Redwater, which, according to current executive producer Ben Wadey, exists in a ‘parallel universe’. Interesting! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read More: EastEnders boss Ben Wadey reveals old spin-off Kat & Alfie: Redwater exists in "parallel universe" 56. Carol Jackson rides out of Walford (2015) Following her successful treatment for breast cancer and the heartache of her split with David, long-suffering Carol left Walford for a new adventure on the back of a motorcycle. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read More: EastEnders icon reveals the very good reason why she won't be returning to the soap 57. Charlie Slater dies (2016) Kat broke down in tears as she said one final “Goodnight” to father Charlie, who had died following a heart attack. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 58. Shabnam Masood leaves Walford with her daughter Jade Green (2016) After the discovery that husband Kush (Davood Ghadami) fathered a child with her friend Stacey and after securing guardianship of her long-lost biological child Jade (Amaya Edward), Shabnam (Rakhee Thakrar) left Walford and a heartbroken Kush behind. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 59. Les and Pam Coker walk home after getting justice for their murdered grandson, Paul (2016) A bittersweet moment for the Cokers, played to perfection by Lin Blakely and Roger Sloman, who lost their grandson Paul in a vicious, homophobic attack while he was on a night out with boyfriend Ben Mitchell (then Harry Reid). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 60. Masood Ahmed leaves Walford with son Kamil Masood bound for Pakistan (2016) After the rest of his family left Walford and romantic opportunities dried up, Masood (Nitin Ganatra) decided to start afresh in Pakistan with his son Kamil. He’d be back in a couple of years! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 61. Lauren Branning leaves Walford and boyfriend Josh Hemmings behind (2018) As we said goodbye to one Branning sister, another one decided that it was time to move on. Following her sister Abi's funeral, Lauren left Walford with her son, Louie and ended her romance with Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre). Fortunately, Lauren wasn’t away for too long, and it’s difficult to imagine the Square without her these days. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 62. Dr Harold Legg dies with Dot Branning at his bedside (2019) Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton) said an emotional goodbye to close friend Dot Branning when he finally passed away in February 2019, almost 39 years to the day of his first appearance. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 63. Iconic Walford residents light memorial candles following Dr Harold Legg's funeral (2019) Following the death of Albert Square’s OG GP, Dot was joined by Lofty and Mary the Punk to remember him outside the house that was once home to his surgery. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 64. Max Branning leaves Walford (2021) After placing his granddaughter, Abi Branning Jr., in the care of his ex-wife Rainie Highway (Tanya Franks) and her husband Stuart (Ricky Champ), Max tearfully left Walford after failing to win the heart of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). He returned to Walford last year. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 65. Mick Carter and his family walk away from court following the sentencing of his abuser, Katy Lewis (2021) Another bittersweet moment, which gained a ‘Julias’ Theme’, and an opportunity for Mick (Danny Dyer) to get some closure following the childhood abuse he experienced at the hands of Katy (Simone Lahbib). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 66. Tiffany Butcher-Baker emotionally leaves Walford (2021) After the end of her marriage to Keegan (Zack Morris), an emotional Tiff (Maisie Smith) decided to leave the Square behind and left with her older brother Liam (Alfie Deegan) to live with dad Ricky in Germany. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 67. Keegan and Tiffany Butcher-Baker leave Walford for Germany after reconciling (2022) Butcher, Baker, tearjerker maker? A new beginning for this young couple warranted the only use of Julia’s Theme in 2022. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 68. The sun rises on Walford after the death of Lola Pearce-Brown (2023) In one of the most tear-jerking instalments of recent memory, Lola Pearce-Brown’s life peacefully came to a close following her brain tumour diagnosis and a fox, symbolically representing Lola (Danielle Harold), was seen passing through Walford as the sun rose on Albert Square. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 69. Karen Taylor flees Walford with Mitch and Bailey Baker, Mia and Mackenzie Atkins (2023) Despite this seeming like the last time we’d ever see Karen (Lorraine Stanley), she returned to Albert Square just months later following the death of her son, Keanu. We won't ask how she managed to get daughter Chantelle's memorial tree on a flight. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 70. Whitney Dean leaves Walford behind with her children (2024) After 15 years of heartache, Whitney (Shona McGarty) departed Walford on a bus with baby daughter Dolly and foster daughter Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell) after she explosively jilted cheating fiancé Zack Hudson (James Farrar) at the altar. The scenes mirrored her arrival, with Britney even wearing a similar outfit. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 71. Suki and Eve Panesar-Unwin bask in Nish Panesar’s demise as they lie in hospital (2025) The BBC soap’s first sapphic wedding finally got a happy ending, as Sukeve (Balvinder Sopal and Heather Peace) realised that Nish’s death meant their ordeal was finally over. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 72. Martin Fowler dies in the arms of Stacey Slater (2025) View oEmbed on the source website The explosive 40th anniversary week ended with the death of EastEnders’ firstborn son, Martin Fowler, after he was injured saving true love and ex-wife Stacey Slater following an explosion in the Queen Victoria pub. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 73. Phil Mitchell returns home with his loved ones after a stay in a mental health unit (2025) A turbulent few months for Phil concluded with him finding closure at his parents’ graveside alongside best pal Nigel, cousin Billy (Perry Fenwick), friend Linda and granddaughter Lexi (Isabella Brown). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 74. Martin Fowler is laid to rest (2025) The heartbreaking funeral of Walford favourite Martin Fowler as Stacey and his friends and family said a sad farewell to Martin. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 75. Sonia Fowler and Bianca Jackson leave Walford for Bali with Bex and Julia Fowler (2025) What an exit. Sonia gave us one last blast on her trumpet as she and Bianca were wheeled out of Walford in the back of a boat en route to Bali. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 76. Nigel Bates passes away (2026) Following a long and difficult journey with young-onset dementia, Nigel Bates dies in his nursing home, and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and his best friend Phil embrace in grief at their loss. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Alternative EastEnders Themes Kathy's Theme (1998) In April 1998, a special version of the theme tune - which was somewhat reminiscent of the 'jazzy' version which had debuted five years earlier - accompanied Kathy Mitchell's move to South Africa. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Later in the month, a new beginning dawned for the Bates family, leaving viewers wondering whether we’d ever see the clan again. Of course, Clare would return a decade later, while Paul Bradley and Karen Henthorn have reprised their Nigel and Julie roles in recent years. 'Kathy's Theme', as the music has been affectionately dubbed, was used in this instance too. Peggy's Theme (2010-) There's nobody more deserving than Peggy Mitchell. For the matriarch's exit in 2010, Simon May took to his piano to craft the music. Playing out as she took one final look at her beloved Queen Victoria pub, this wouldn't be the last time we heard the music. On occasion, it has replaced Julia's Theme, such as following Ronnie Mitchell's imprisonment, before a fireworks display during the 30th anniversary live episode, and also during Peggy's definitive departure in 2016. Pat's Theme (2012) A more solemn version of the theme aired during Pat Evans' emotional final episode on 1st January 2012. It was accompanied by the screen fading to black and was also released commercially by Simon May. Jubilee Theme (2022) View oEmbed on the source website 2022 was a special year for the BBC soap as the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated for Queen Elizabeth II and her then-heir Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, paid a visit to the set. Dot's Theme (2022) This was a special theme created to commemorate the passing of actress June Brown and the end of Dot Branning's time on this mortal coil. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs heartbreaking death scenes as Nigel Bates leaves soap after 34 years in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Wednesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
It's the end of an era in EastEnders - beloved Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has passed away after a battle with dementia. Bradley reprised his role in December 2024, though some weeks passed before Nige' chose to divulge his illness to old friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). The men struck up an unlikely bond, despite their estrangement for almost three decades, and as Nigel's condition worsened, Phil promised to stand by him. They had a somewhat unconventional care arrangement in place at No. 55 Victoria Road, that was disturbed when wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) came to London from Scotland seeking her husband. By this point, his conditioned had worsened to a point where he was mistaking her for his first wife Debbie (Nicola Duffett). Last Christmas, he saw visions of Debbie alongside a number of former Walford residents, and it soon became clear to Phil and Julie that they couldn't provide the level of care that he needed. Following an emotional reunion with stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), Nigel moved into a proper facility. This left Phil guilt-ridden, believing that he'd betrayed the promise he'd made. This week, as Nigel's dying days neared, Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) decided to do the right thing and summon his father Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) back to his homeland. He hoped that Grant could not only reconnect with Nigel, but also convince Phil to go and visit him. Phil flatly refused, and later headed to the beach for a moment of reflection and to find a special skimming stone that matched the one that Nigel had treasured for decades. Grant had followed him there, though knew that time was running out when Julie called to ask if he wanted to say goodbye. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. An explosive argument between the brothers ensued in today's extended episode, with Phil attempting to goad Grant into punching him. He didn't want to leave the beach until he'd found the perfect, flat and round stone that matched the original that Nigel wanted. With Grant choosing to do the right thing and leave, Phil gazed on towards the sea, glancing for a brief moment towards the floor. Rather conveniently, the exact type of rock was right in front of him. Grant shouted out towards his brother for the final time, hoping to make a breakthrough, and Phil finally decided to follow his lead. They made their way towards the car park, but realised that Phil's car had been clamped. Fortunately, Grant's vehicle was ready and waiting to go - that was, until, they faced another hitch. It was powered by electric, and ran out of charge when they were nowhere near Walford. Thinking on his feet, Grant handed a pizza delivery boy some cash and asked him to take Phil on the back of his motorbike. A number of residents had been into the care home already to say goodbye. Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) accompanied Callum Highway (Tony Clay) and youngster Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown), deciding to sing a song from her youth to ailing Nige'. Lexi questioned how she could remember the tune, and she explained that it was something her mother used to sing to her as a child. Although it had been a long time since she'd passed, the memories only grew stronger with time. As Yolande left, she told Julie that she thought Nigel was holding on to say goodbye, and that he was too frightened to let go. Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) then arrived with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), and Julie was playing coastal sound effects to drown out the noise of his lapsed breathing. She knew the time was coming, but his gasps for air were a horrible reminder of his pain. Phil finally made his way to the care home. He placed the stone in Nigel's hand, and to both his and Julie's surprise, his fingers clasped around the item. Julie urged Phil to tell Nigel that he'd be ok, and that she feared he wasn't prepared to die without knowing that his best mate was in a good place mentally. A series of alternative realities then showed us what Nigel was imagining. In a dream-like sequence, he and Phil were sat on deckchairs reminiscing and chatting about moments from different films. Phil finally built up the courage to tell Nigel that it was fine to 'leave', and that he was prepared to face the future without him. Nigel's final memory was of being at the beach with his father, asking to skim "one last stone" before they departed. With Phil and Julie surrounding him, Nigel slipped away. The stone fell out of his hand, and the two burst into tears. Will Phil really be fine in Nigel's absence? Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs tragic dilemma for Grant Mitchell in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Tuesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7:30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) has found himself in an impossible situation in EastEnders, having been forced to choose between helping brother Phil (Steve McFadden) or being by his best pal Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) side in his final hours. Following on from the conclusion of yesterday's instalment – which saw Phil throw his family out into the street and crumble into a state of distress – he didn't want to visit Nigel in his care home, believing that he'd betrayed his promise to support him until the very end. He also thought that Nigel, Julie (Karen Henthorn) and the Mitchells didn't need him, which couldn't have been further from the truth. Time was running out, as after Nige' was admitted to hospital following a fall, Julie made the tough decision to suspend his treatment and ensure that he was comfortable. Grant popped by the care home as she explained the difficult news, and he began to fear that Phil would never get to say goodbye. Meanwhile, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) tried to make a breakthrough with his cousin, but was similarly thrown out when Phil couldn't contain his overwhelming grief. Before Grant left, Nigel leapt out of bed and began shouting out for "one last stone." He couldn't see the significance, though soon remembered a special skimming stone that Nige's dad had given him when he was younger. He kept it on the side of the bath, and Grant hoped that he'd brought it with him to Walford. Phil revealed that it was long lost, and that they'd never be able to find a suitable replacement. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Grant scrambled to find a replacement from the Square Gardens, though the one he took to Nigel fell straight through his hands and seemingly confirmed that it wasn't what he'd requested. Little did Grant realise, Phil had made it his mission to find an exact replica of the prized possession. Billy and Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) made another attempt at reasoning with Phil, but he was nowhere to be found. Grant had an idea, and jumped into his car – driving towards the beach. Upon arrival, he spotted his brother skimming stones on the sea. However, before he could approach, Julie called to say that Nigel had taken a turn for the worse. His breathing was now lapsed, and it was likely that he didn't have long left. Will Grant stay at the beach, or head to the care home to say goodbye to Nigel? Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell
Phil is crumbling following Nigel's death, Max and Cindy make things official and it's war between Ian and Elaine.
An emotional time in Walford continues next week following Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) death. The EastEnders rally around his grieving wife Julie (Karen Henthorn), while Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) quietly suffers. Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) focuses his attention on supporting Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) amid her concerns for son Johnny (Charlie Suff), and Max Branning (Jake Wood) decides to go public with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). The arrival of an old face - evil Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) - stirs trouble for adoptive son George (Colin Salmon), and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) is worried about Denise Fox (Diane Parish). Here's everything happening in EastEnders between Monday 4 and Thursday 7 May. 7 EastEnders spoilers for next week 1. George Knight is rocked by Eddie request to see him Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) and George return home from the hospital to what should be a joyful moment - a surprise welcome party for newborn Ivy. But for Nicola, it’s all too much, and she quickly shuts the celebrations down. Later, a quieter heart-to-heart with Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) helps steady her, and she finds comfort watching George embrace fatherhood. That moment of calm is short-lived however, when Nicola realises George has had his phone switched off and has missed several calls from the hospital. She initially believes that these calls concern Ivy, but when she discovers the truth she heads to the ward. There, she comes face-to-face with Eddie Knight, who drops the revelation that he’s dying. Back at No.1, Nicola attempts to keep her visit under wraps, but George soon pieces things together after finding a parking ticket. With the truth exposed, he heads to the hospital himself and is shaken by Eddie’s frailty. News of Eddie’s whereabouts also ripples outward, leaving Gina and Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) stunned. As questions mount from his family, George is forced to confront his feelings, and makes the decision to visit Eddie one last time. Later in the week, Nicola takes matters into her own hands, warning Eddie to stay away from her family. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. 2. Phil Mitchell and Julie Bates attempt to navigate life after Nigel's death Phil is struggling in the wake of Nigel’s death, reaching out to Grant in the hope of reconnecting. But emotions remain raw, and when Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) turns down the chance to join them, Grant follows suit. Phil is left rejected once again. Meanwhile, Julie prepares to collect Nigel’s belongings from his care home alone, choosing to shield Phil from the pain. But her resolve falters when Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) spots her in the Minute Mart, visibly emotional. Julie confides everything, prompting Kat to march straight to No.55 and vent her anger at Sam and Phil. In the end, they rally around Julie and accompany her to the care home. There, she discovers a letter from Nigel, but she can’t yet bring herself to read it. 3. Tensions reach boiling point between Ian Beale and Elaine Peacock Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) throws himself into his councillor campaign, but confidence quickly wavers when he realises most of Walford seems to be backing Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) instead. Desperate to swing support, he attempts to bribe Harvey, Howie and Mo at the allotments - but the plan backfires. Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona) soon pitches a more ruthless tactic: a smear campaign video targeting Elaine. Ian hesitates, unsure whether to cross that line. Things take a disastrous turn when Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) swaps Ian’s speech at the last minute, leaving him floundering, until Elaine unexpectedly steps in to steady him. A humiliated Ian later vents his frustration at Jimmy’s birthday party, and in a moment of weakness, gives Bea the green light to release the video. It doesn’t take long for Walford to erupt with gossip as the anonymous clip spreads online. Unaware of the storm brewing, Elaine visits Beale’s Eels to wish Ian luck... while he scrambles to contact Bea and undo the damage. It's too late. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) reveals the truth to Elaine, who storms over to confront Ian head-on. As election day dawns, Bea works the crowd for last-minute votes, while Ian attempts damage control. Though he and Elaine try to remain civil, the hurt lingers. 4. Linda Carter turns to Grant Mitchell for support after Max Branning goes public with Cindy Beale Linda struggles to hide her jealousy over Max and Cindy, though Grant encourages her to focus on herself for once. His advice, combined with news from Elaine that Johnny is facing financial trouble, gives Linda pause for thought. Soon after, she makes a bold decision - telling Denise she plans to sell her share of Fox & Hair. Hoping to help, Linda offers Johnny the money, but he refuses outright, ordering her to leave. The rejection cuts deep, and when Grant attempts to lift her spirits, Linda lashes out, pushing him away. Later, Grant seeks Johnny out at the café, delivering some blunt home truths. Max and Cindy celebrate their joint birthday at Harry’s Barn, but tensions simmer beneath the surface - particularly when Max learns Linda has slept with someone else. Jealousy takes hold, and in a sudden move, Cindy accepts Max's offer to move in with him. 5. Harry Mitchell helps Gina Knight amid monetary worries at the restaurant Harry agrees to lend Gina money from Harry’s Barn to help plug gaps in the Knight Fusion accounts, but the decision doesn’t stay hidden for long. Nicola is blindsided when her accountant reveals that Harry’s Barn is already operating at a loss. Confronted with the truth, Gina and Harry have no choice but to come clean. Desperate to hold onto the business, Harry pleads with Nicola not to sell. 6. The Queen Vic is losing punters to the Walford allotments Kat and Alfie are left unimpressed when they discover their regulars have been sneaking off to the allotments for drinks instead of frequenting their place. Never one to hold back, Kat gives Howie and Harvey both barrels over their secret gatherings. 7. Sam Mitchell urges Denise Fox to seek medical attention Denise’s exhaustion becomes increasingly hard to ignore when Sam finds her asleep in the salon. Concerned, she checks in - and Denise admits she’s already booked a doctor’s appointment. Later, Sam offers a practical suggestion that could ease Denise’s worries: perhaps Jack could invest in Fox & Hair, providing a much-needed lifeline after Linda's decision to pull out. 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs Grant Mitchell's return and emotional scenes for Phil in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Monday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) has made a spectacular return to EastEnders at a tragic time for brother Phil (Steve McFadden). The OG Walford hard man was summoned back to his old haunt by estranged son Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), who believed that he needed to know about best mate Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) declining health. Mark had betrayed his aunty Sam's (Kim Medcalf) wishes, as she'd asked him not to contact Grant as he probably wouldn't be interested. She'd tried several times to tell him about her breast cancer diagnosis, and he hadn't returned any of her calls. A car sped into the Square, immediately catching both Sam and Mark's attention. They were stunned to see Grant, who was under the illusion that Mark wanted him there because of Phil's mental wellbeing. As viewers will recall, the last time Grant visited London, Phil was struggling immensely and attempted to take his own life. Before facing his brother, Grant headed for some brekkie at the caff but faced a frosty reception from Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). With over 30 years passing since they last crossed paths, it was clear that he didn't recognise her. She slammed his plate down on the table and tore strips off him for his treatment of her mum Michelle, their altercation only broke up by the arrival of Sam and Mark. He began to ask questions about Phil, though it soon became apparent that it was Nigel who was the concern. Grant still believed that he was living with the Mitchells, and was gobsmacked to learn that he had been in a care home for several months. He charged out of the and bumped into Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn), who explained that Nigel had been hospitalised after falling out of bed. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. It was an emotional reunion as Grant headed to the ward, and saw just how bad Nigel really was. Back at home, Mark cornered Phil in the pub and urged him to also go to the hospital. He lied, saying that he would only get in the way, but it was clear that he was resenting the fact that he was unable to care for Nigel until the end. When Grant returned, he demanded an audience with his family and the group finally laid their cards on the table after a decade of being apart. He was shocked to hear that Sam had been diagnosed with cancer, and a huge argument ensued. Phil, wanting to shut the world out, ordered Grant, Sam and Mark out of his house before smashing up the kitchen. The trio stood outside, and Sam expressed her belief that it was only Grant who could help Phil. Will Grant be able to make a breakthrough? Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers this week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders spoilers for next week as Ravi Gulati receives mental health diagnosis in emotional scenes
An emotional follow-up to this week's episodes.
This article contains discussion of subjects including mental health issues that some may find distressing. Ravi Gulati's (Aaron Thiara) mental health storyline continues in EastEnders next week. The BBC soap has been airing an ongoing plot surrounding the character's wellbeing over recent months, as he has began to self-harm and became paranoid that his family were in danger. Executive Producer Ben Wadey said of the story: "EastEnders always takes great care when researching storylines such as Ravi’s and we’re grateful to Samaritans for the advice they have given us, helping us ensure Ravi’s story is told with the care and sensitivity it deserves." During episodes that aired earlier this week, Priya Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) attempted to take Ravi to Walford Hospital to seek urgent medical attention after he held their family captive inside their flat. Tensions were at an all time high when Ravi revealed that he was the one who'd mistakenly attacked Nugget in January, and the only thing that would calm him down was the promise that they could leave Albert Square and start a new life. Of course, this was Priya's way of driving him to the hospital, and it didn't take him long to spot signage directing to the emergency department on their journey. Nugget began to suffer another seizure, and as Priya took her eye off the road, their car collided with Max Branning's (Jake Wood). Ravi then discharged himself from hospital early, climbing to the top of the Turpin Road viaduct and refusing to get down. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. His horrified family watched on, though following some reassurance from son Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) that everything would be ok in time, he made his way to safety. On the ground, the police were waiting to section him under the mental health act. In the forthcoming scenes, viewers will see him receiving treatment at a secure mental health unit. Before long, practitioners come to the conclusion that he has complex PTSD and a therapy plan is put in place. EastEnders is working with Samaritans on the storyline, with Lorna Fraser, Head of Media Advisory Service at the charity, saying: "Storylines responsibly reflecting experiences of mental health and suicide can help tackle stigma and encourage viewers who might be struggling to talk about how they are feeling. "We’re proud to have supported EastEnders with covering Ravi’s self-harm and mental health crisis sensitively and grateful for their efforts in making this as safe as possible. We hope it helps anyone watching to seek support if they need it." Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders legend teases tributes to late Barbara Windsor as the Mitchell siblings all reunite on-screen
Ross Kemp tells Michael Adams of the family environment at EastEnders.
Ross Kemp has revealed that his forthcoming EastEnders stint will feature tributes to the late Barbara Windsor and her character Peggy Mitchell. Windsor took over the role from original actress Jo Warne in 1994, and continued in a regular capacity until 2010. After a number of guest appearances, she returned for the final time in 2016 for Peggy's final storyline. The star had requested then-executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins create a plot that would see her bow out as the Mitchell matriarch following her own diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, something she revealed publicly two years later. She passed away aged 83 in December 2020, with the BBC soap dedicating an episode to her. While Kemp's comeback is flooded with sadness, as Grant Mitchell says goodbye to old school friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), he has teased that one particular scene is "farce" in comparison to the severity of the events happening around him. During an interview following a photoshoot for this week's Radio Times magazine cover, Kemp revealed: "There's one scene, which is farce, it's them cooking a dinner together and burning it in the way that apparently Peggy burned everything. "So, you know, and there's little tributes to Barbara all the way through it of course." Reflecting on how much those nods would mean to viewers, he continued: "I think what means a lot also to us as a cast. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. "Being back with Phil, Sam and Grant - it was good stuff. It was fun stuff." His return marks the first time that the trio of siblings have been reunited in a decade. Kemp also hasn't worked with Sam actress Kim Medcalf in 20 years, as the last time the characters interacted, the role was fulfilled by Danniella Westbrook. "What was really good about it was that life accelerates the older you get, but it didn't feel like we'd ever stopped," Kemp continued, "it feels very much like a real family". "I mean, Steve and I have got a very good unspoken understanding of when to look at each other. I know exactly when he's about to finish his line. I think he knows that I'm about to finish mine. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2022/07/eastenders-peggy-grant-phil-mitchell-4e9377e.jpg" width="3596" height="2397" alt="Barbara Windor's Peggy Mitchell arm in arm with Ross Kemp's Grant MItchell and Steve McFadden's Phil Mitchell in EastEnders" title="Barbara Windor's Peggy Mitchell with Ross Kemp's Grant MItchell and Steve McFadden's Phil Mitchell in EastEnders" /> "And Kim just sort of slipped into that seamlessly. So it felt like a real family." Kemp also said that the storyline itself was a motivator in him agreeing to come back. Bradley's Nigel has been living with young-onset dementia, something which Kemp has a personal connection with. "I have to say Paul has done just an amazing job," he added. View oEmbed on the source website "And Alzheimer's was part of Barbara's passing, part of my dad's passing. So that was the main motivator for me to go back. "Obviously, it's great to go back in the show. It's nice to get paid. But the main motivator for me was to actually go back to work with some really good friends. "And in fact, with Paul and Steve. When Steve gets a day off, if he ever gets a day off, we're all meeting up, and we're going for a trip down the river together, and then we're going out for a meal." Read more about Kemp's return in the latest issue of Radio Times now – subscribe here. Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs sad Ravi Gulati scenes in explosive aftermath of car crash in early BBC iPlayer release
This article contains discussion of subjects including mental health issues that some may find distressing. EastEnders has aired an emotional climax to Ravi Gulati's (Aaron Thiara) mental health storyline. Today's episode picked up following a devastating car crash, which happened after a frantic Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) attempted to take Ravi to Walford Hospital to seek urgent medical attention. He'd locked Priya, alongside children Avani (Aaliyah James) and Davinder "Nugget" (Juhaim Rasul-Choudhury) in their flat all day, bolting the door and confiscating their phones. When they planned to make an escape, Ravi revealed that he was the one who'd mistakenly attacked Nugget earlier this year, leading to his epilepsy diagnosis. Tensions were running high, and the only thing that would calm him down was the promise that they could leave Albert Square and start a new life. Of course, this was Priya's way of driving him to the hospital, and it didn't take him long to spot signage directing to the emergency department on their journey. Nugget began to suffer another seizure, and as Priya took her eye off the road, their car collided with Max Branning's (Jake Wood). He was travelling back from a nursery mixer with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and their grandson Jimmy, and were unable to swerve before being hit. It seemed like everyone walked away unscathed as the opening scenes played out, with Ravi guiding his family to safety on the edge of the road. However, screams could still be heard from the car, and as he walked over it became clear that it was all a vision. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Everyone was still trapped, and Ravi refused to leave the vehicle. Priya dragged Avani and a disorientated Nugget out of their seats and pleaded for him to make an exit before the situation worsened. Meanwhile, Cindy feared for her life as part of the car's dashboard was preventing her from moving. Max's arm was injured and therefore he couldn't force her out, and flames were beginning to climb over the bonnet. With Ravi refusing to help, Max had to use equipment from the boot of the car to free her. He, Cindy and baby Jimmy were just far enough away from their vehicle before it burst into flames. After being admitted to hospital, Ravi slipped out of Priya's sight and managed to return to Walford. He sat alone in the Square Gardens, played music on his headphones, and then walked towards Turpin Road. Outside of the chemist, which is the first place his family became privy to his decline in mental health, he grabbed a chair from The Prince Albert and projected it through the window. Ravi then climbed on top of the viaduct, sitting dangerously on the edge of the railings. A horrified Priya chased after him, offering reassurance that he could overcome his turmoil. But Ravi wouldn't listen, and the sight of Nugget rushing away only made things worse. He believed that their relationship was irreparable, and that there was now too much water under the bridge. Fortunately, Nugget had also made his way to the bridge and promised that if he climbed down, things would get better in time. The watching residents breathed a sigh of relief to see Ravi back on the ground, though he was startled by the noise of sirens circling. A police officer explained that she was going to have to section him under the mental health act, and directed him towards her car. Terrified and confused, Ravi screamed out to Priya, assuring her that he was now better and able to return home. Will Ravi get the help he needs? Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders icon Ross Kemp confirms emotional scenes behind special extended episode next week
Ross Kemp tells Michael Adams about how extra time was allocated to the special episode.
An emotional week is approaching in EastEnders, as Ross Kemp returns to the serial as Walford's prodigal son Grant Mitchell. He's back to bid farewell to beloved Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), whose health is seriously declining amid his young on-set dementia battle. There's also concerns for brother Phil (Steve McFadden) too, who's cutting himself off from the world and refusing to visit ailing Nige' at his care home. Phil feels like he's betrayed his mate's wishes, having promised to care for him during his dying days. In a special episode, which airs next Wednesday (April 29), Grant follows a distressed Phil to the beach, where he's searching for a special item relating to Nigel's past. The brothers have an emotional conversation, though Grant is left in somewhat of a predicament as Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) calls to say that Nigel doesn't have long left. Will Grant choose to support his brother, or his old school friend? "[The episode] has been extended because it was very hard, I think, for the editor and the director and the producers to cut any of it. But they had to cut some of it because it was 10 minutes over," Ross explained to Radio Times after a photoshoot for this week's magazine cover. "I think it's now running in about 35 minutes, which is five minutes longer than you normally get at least." During the episode Grant urges Phil to race back to the care home - but the brothers face a number of setbacks on their journey. View oEmbed on the source website Kemp continued: "What was quite amazing about it was that quite early on in me going back, and I had something happen personally to me - which was really shocking - and someone was very, very ill very quickly. "So we allowed two hours to shoot the scene where we drive off and it started raining, and Steve and I managed to shoot what was a two hour schedule in 40 minutes, which shows how quickly we can work together. "It was pouring down with rain. We went down to the beach, the sun came out. All of a sudden, the sun came out and we shot this amazing episode which involved Paul, Steve and myself. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. "As soon as we returned to work, it started pouring with rain again, but it's sort of sort of kind of quite apt in terms of what was happening in those eps." While Nigel is at the care home, it seems that Bradley also shot scenes on location, as confirmed in stills from the instalment. Very sadly, at the conclusion of the episode, Nigel passes away. "They're emotional [episodes]. It's the final episode for Paul. So that's quite special and and I think hopefully it's a tribute to Paul and Steve's work over the last 18 months, and also to people who who have family members who are suffering with Alzheimers right now." Read more about Kemp's return in the latest issue of Radio Times now – subscribe here. Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs terrifying car crash with two families left in deadly danger in early BBC iPlayer release
Seven Walford residents are in serious danger after a horrifying car crash at the conclusion of today's EastEnders. It comes amid Ravi Gulati's (Aaron Thiara) worsening mental health, with him refusing to allow his family to leave their flat for fear of them getting hurt. He'd bolted the door, confiscated their mobiles, and called them all in sick at work and school. With his behaviour becoming increasingly erratic, girlfriend Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) searched for the keys to leave while asking daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) to distract him. While rifling through the kitchen drawers, son Davinder "Nugget" (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) noticed a series of bruises on her arm, and was quick to accuse Ravi of causing them. Trying to explain himself, Ravi became emotional and fell to the floor in tears, before confessing to another of his sins. He admitted that he was the one who attacked Nugget earlier this year, which left him with a life-changing head injury and subsequent epilepsy diagnosis. Picking up from the dramatic doof doof, the latest instalment - which can be streamed on BBC iPlayer now - saw Nugget verbally lash out towards his father. He was disgusted to learn that the details surrounding his assault had been kept secret for months. While the argument ensued, Priya decided to use this as a perfect opportunity to escape. Ravi was distracted and in a state of despair, but clocked her moving towards the hallway. He rushed over to stop her, saying that the outside world was dangerous. When Priya explained that she felt in more danger trapped in the flat, Ravi flipped. Thinking on her feet, she suggested making a quick flit out of Walford together so that they could be safe. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Ravi agreed, and the family made their way towards the car lot to retrieve a vehicle. Peter Beale (Thomas Law) clocked them driving off and shouted out, but it was too late. On the road, Priya sped towards the hospital to get Ravi some help, though he noticed some road signage directing towards the emergency department and realised what was happening. He tried to get her to stop, but amid the chaos, Nugget began to suffer a seizure. She reached backwards to help him, taking her eyes off the road - and veered straight towards another car. Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) were returning home from a nursery mixer with their grandson Jimmy, and before he had opportunity to swerve, the two vehicles collided. One of the cars flipped over and rolled across the road, but it's not yet clear who could be in grave danger. Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders confirms important new storyline for Will and Janet Mitchell as part of special week on BBC
The storyline will see Will step up and attempt to juggle caring for Janet with looking after his family.
An EastEnders storyline will shine a light on caring by focusing on Will and Janet Mitchell next month as part of a week-long spotlight on the subject across the BBC. Titled Caring Matters, the special week – which will run from Saturday 23 May until Saturday 30 May – will bring together programming to reflect the experiences of unpaid carers and the role they play in families and communities across the country. As EastEnders fans will know, Will (Freddie Phillips) has been a supportive brother to Janet (Grace), who has Down’s syndrome, in recent years, defending her from bullies in 2021, and criticising their grandad Stevie’s (Alan Ford) attitude towards her when he first arrived in 2024, amongst other storylines. But next month on the BBC show, viewers will see the 18-year-old attempt to step up even more and juggle caring for Janet while supporting his family at home after Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) suffers an injury. Caring Matters will kick off with a special episode of Songs of Praise, in which Reverend Kate Bottley will explore the joys and challenges of being a carer and how faith fits in. There’ll also be a special episode of Bargain Hunt, in which Eric Knowles will celebrate the millions of people who dedicate their lives to helping others. Also airing during the week will be Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together – a documentary following the EastEnders star as she fulfils her long-standing ambition to train as a carer. Elsewhere during the week, Cassidy will appear as a guest on Saturday Kitchen Live and The One Show to speak about her new documentary, while Morning Live will also shine a light on unpaid carers, offering practical take-home advice while highlighting the importance of carers’ wellbeing and how and where help and support can be accessed. Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs game-changing Ravi Gulati twist as major secret exposed in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Tuesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Amid a worrying time for Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) in EastEnders, his family have been rocked by a major revelation. The character's mental health has seriously declined in recent months, only intensified by son Nugget's (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) diagnosis with epilepsy – something which he is responsible for. The teenager suffered a serious head injury during an altercation with his father, who had been spiked by vengeful Nicola and Harry Mitchell (Laura Doddington and Elijah Holloway). Panic set in when Ravi failed to return home. He'd fallen into the pit at the garage, and began to suffer intense hallucinations of late father Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry). Lashing out towards the villain, he was unaware that Nugget was actually stood in front of him. Earlier this week, Ravi self-harmed again and was rushed to hospital. This came after a restful night where he'd sprung out of bed in a disorientated state and grabbed girlfriend Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy). On the ward, the pair were spooked to realise that the doctor assigned was none other than Nina Gupta (Hersha Verity), his ex-girlfriend and former step-mother. She said that she had a duty to report the incident to the police, with Priya cautiously explaining that he had inflicted the injury himself. Nina was satisfied that he was seeking the best medical attention and was happy to discharge him on the condition he had an appointment with his therapist. However, in today's episode, it became apparent that he had no intentions of attending. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. He'd placed a number of padlocks on the flat door, rang Walford High and the car lot to say that Nugget, daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) and Priya were unwell, and hoped that they would get on board with his idea of a 'reset day'. Ravi also confiscated their phones, preventing contact with the outside world. Things started off smoothly, though the kids became irritated and wanted to leave. Ravi insisted that they stay inside, as it was his duty to protect them from any further harm. Priya could see the terror in their eyes, which only escalated when Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) arrived on their doorstep. She was worried that nobody was answering their phones, and given Ravi's recent behaviour, questioned whether they were truly ok. Ravi forced his family to stay low to the ground, with Priya shouting through the door that they'd all came down with a sickness bug and didn't want to pass it onto her. Suki seemed confused by the explanation, but agreed to leave. Priya then asked Avani to choose a new film to watch with Ravi, while she and Nugget frantically searched the flat for the keys to leave. While raking through the kitchen, Nugget noticed a series of bruises on his mum's arm and decided to confront Ravi. A broken man, he collapsed to the floor and began to reel off a number of his wrongdoings over the years – including attacking Nugget. How will Nugget deal with this, and will the family be able to escape before Ravi's behaviour escalates? Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders' Ross Kemp is this week's Radio Times cover star
Ross Kemp reveals his softer side - and why nothing scares him more than returning to Albert Square.
Few characters are as firmly woven into British television as Grant Mitchell, which is why Ross Kemp's return to EastEnders still feels like an event. Grant made a fleeting visit for the 40th anniversary last year, but he's back for longer this time as he comes to terms with the deterioration in health of his old friend Nigel. Over a cup of tea in a north-London cafe, Kemp admits what drew him in was the chance to play the character at 61, "with all the life you've experienced in the intervening years". It's a candid interview in which he reflects on how his career has changed: from Walford enforcer to TV quizmaster. We also catch up with Tony Schumacher, the writer of the hit drama The Responder, as he returns with a new BBC drama The Cage, starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha. He speaks movingly about the origins of the story: "My brother Philip was an alcoholic who passed away last year". When he came up with the idea, he started thinking about addiction, but alcoholism felt too close to home. "I used to work on cruise ships and everyone who worked in those casinos would gamble like mad the minute they weren't working... which fascinated me." And finally, inside this week's issue there is a delightful conversation with Michaela Strachan. She looks back on her 40 years in the business and reminds us just why she's still on our screens. As always with Radio Times it's an eclectic mix that we bring you this week. The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. Also in this week's Radio Times: Tony Schumacher brought us The Responder, now he's back with The Cage, a drama set in the world of casinos. News at Ten presenter and writer Tom Bradby lays out the plot of his thriller, Secret Service. Three stars of the drama Unchosen weigh up the pros and cons of living in a cult. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Did you know you can now order a previous edition of Radio Times magazine with our new back issues service? Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Nigel Bates's tragic story ends as Grant Mitchell returns
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. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
British TV legend Ross Kemp: "Nothing I've done fills me with fear more than EastEnders"
He may be back in Walford as tough guy Grant Mitchell, but Ross Kemp is now a family man who would rather go fishing than pick fights
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. Ross Kemp insists he’s not “any sort of a hard man, really”. And, of course, you can’t help but smile, because the very act of hearing him say it triggers a mental slideshow of moments that suggest otherwise. Long-time Kemp watchers will have their own favourites. Perhaps the episodes of his Extreme World documentary that saw him dodging sniper fire in Afghanistan and Syria. Or the time he was in Colombia reporting on the drug trade there only to be stopped in his car by a man with a knife looking for a bribe. And what did Kemp do? “I told him to f**k off.” The list goes on. How about the time he was told to get down on his knees by armed guerrillas in Papua New Guinea and, instead, he reached for one of their gun barrels and said, “You’re not going to kill me.” Fans of Kemp’s 2023 memoir Take Nothing for Granted may also recall the story of the night he drunkenly went swimming in crocodile-infested waters in Australia and, with almost no recall of what he’d done, was told the next day that he challenged any crocs nearby to “come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough”. So, when Kemp claims that “nothing I’ve done fills me with fear more than EastEnders,” it’s hard to judge your reaction. But he really isn’t joking. Thirty-six years since Grant and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) first stepped onto Albert Square, Kemp says, “EastEnders is still the one that pushes me the most.” And his latest return to Walford has been no exception. Next week, we’ll see Grant return from Portugal as he finally comes face to face with his estranged son, Mark – their first encounter since Mark discovered who his biological father is. Coming after Grant’s flying visit to the Square for the show’s 40th anniversary last year, he’s due to stick around considerably longer, this time as he comes to terms with the deterioration of the Mitchell brothers’ dementia-stricken school-friend Nigel Bates, played by Paul Bradley. Between sips of botanical lemonade in a north London café, Kemp says he didn’t need to have his arm twisted on this occasion. The challenges of playing Grant as a 61-year-old, “with all the life you’ve experienced in the intervening years”, were what sealed the deal. “I think Steve [McFadden] is still brilliant when it comes to playing a guy who could hit you with a piece of wood, but could also break down in tears. Which is something you can also say for Grant.” For Kemp, the fear set in when he read his first scenes and realised what lay in store for him. “You get up so early to get to set, and then at the top of the first page, it says, ‘Grant heaves with tears on seeing Nigel.’” What Kemp couldn’t have foreseen on the first week of shooting was that he’d be shuttling between a hospital set and an actual hospital. “I won’t go into detail, but something happened to my mum on the third day on set. And so heaving tears wasn’t difficult. I was like, ‘Cut! We’ve got that.’ And it’s still not even 8am. “Then we walk into another set where everybody is having a sort of wake. In the script, there’s a conversation about what a good dancer Nigel was as a lad. I say, ‘You should have seen him in 1977, pogoing in all the clubs.’ Then someone goes, ‘What’s a pogo?’ And suddenly everyone’s chanting, ‘GRANT! GRANT! GRANT!’ trying to get me to pogo. There I am, pogoing at the tender age of 61. And there’s not much pogoing left in these knees.” The more time you spend with Kemp, the more you realise that it’s not the shadow of Grant Mitchell that looms over him; it’s that of his father John, a former serviceman and life-long policeman – who, in a Facebook post announcing his death last year, he described as “my hero; my role model”. In Lost Boys, Deadly Men, Kemp’s recent exploration into the crisis in masculinity affecting young men, he entered a male-only retreat called The Unmasked Man, where he was encouraged to open up to strangers and reveal the one thing he wanted to hear from his father. His answer? “It’s not always about competition.” But what sort of a career would he have without that competitive streak? I’m reminded of the scene from a previous return to Albert Square, in which he tells his daughter Courtney, “Perhaps if I’d been a better dad, you wouldn’t be the person you are.” Whose emotions are we watching in moments like that? Is it Grant – or is it Ross, rationalising what his father wasn’t always able to give him? “Oh, you definitely draw from real life,” he says, “unless you use a tear stick, that’s the only way.” While Kemp seemed to take away a lot of positives from his time at the retreat, one thing that sticks in his mind was “transformational coach” Alexander Cottle’s description of the Mitchell brothers as “stereotypical alpha males”. He’s not sure that’s entirely fair – and back in 1994, if you were one of the 25 million people who saw Grant tearfully confront his wife Sharon in a packed Queen Vic over her affair with Phil, you won’t need Ross Kemp to remind you that, “we were bawling our eyes out 30 years ago. We were doing it long before people suddenly thought, ‘Oh, it’s ground-breaking drama.’” In the event, it’s been quite handy sharing a body with Grant Mitchell. It’s allowed him to lean into the stereotype not just when it suits him, but also to surprise those who dare question his range. Former EastEnders script editor and screenwriter John Yorke is on hand to bear testament to the full breadth of that range. He gleefully recalls their first encounter back in 1994 when Kemp, “just about the biggest star in Britain at that point, walks into my office and says, ‘I want to complain.’ I replied, ‘How can I help?’ He prodded me in the chest and said, ‘I haven’t hit anyone in over a month!’ When this encounter is relayed to Kemp, he hoots with delight and, within seconds, pivots from outright denial to admitting, “Yeah, I think I probably could have done that! Steve and I got on well with a number of the writers. We had things in common – be it a sense of humour, or a view of the world that was similar. Not all of the cast members had that same relationship, and that certainly didn’t harm our storylines! But also, if you’re given a storyline, you can throw it down the toilet or you can charge it up the hill: it’s up to you.” By contrast, in 1998, when Yorke left the soap and set about casting the role of a gangster who moonlights as drag queen Dilly Dally in the ITV cop show City Central, there was only one name on his list: “Ross was literally in costume the whole time,” remembers Yorke, “and he just loved it. He was playing to the extras all day – a natural born drag queen!” Kemp rocks forward on his chair. “Shall I tell you a story about that? There was a song I had to do in that role – I Will Survive. And at the time, I’m living in Essex. I’m due to meet the guys down the pub, but first I’ve got just enough time to rehearse ahead of the next day’s shoot. So I’m wearing my neoprene bottoms and I put the little heels on because you have to be able to walk convincingly in stilettos – and I’m holding the hairbrush and belting out I Will Survive. When I’m satisfied with it, I head off to the pub. Next thing you know, slow handclaps. Three of the neighbours had been watching out the window.” When talk turns to regrets, I’m struck by his candour. He winces as he reflects upon how insecure he felt throughout his 20s: “I was a bit of a w****r, to be honest with you.” He shares a story about starring in Dick Whittington alongside Rod Hull and Emu. “I wouldn’t let him goose me. And he was very upset about that,” says Kemp, now laughing at the absurdity of what he’s about to describe. “That’s the difference between the old Ross Kemp and the new one. He could goose me now. Do you know what else has stayed with me? I was in the dressing room next door to Rod and even when he was out, if Emu was asleep, you had to be quiet!” Happily, the span of Kemp’s personal growth extends beyond personal space issues around sock puppets. In the 2000s, his marriage to former Sun and News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks (then Wade) launched him into circles he couldn’t have imagined as a boy growing up in Barking, “just to the right of the EastEnders map”. He had dinner in Chequers with two prime ministers – Tony Blair and David Cameron – but neither impressed him as much as the American dignitaries he met at that time: the “natural magnetism” of Bill Clinton and the “powerful calm” of war hero turned Republican Presidential nominee John McCain: “He was the most impressive for me, just because he was shot down over Vietnam [where he was imprisoned for five years]. I thought he was just an incredibly stoic individual.” The interest in politics awakened in Kemp by his marriage to Brooks has outlasted it. After their divorce in 2009, he campaigned for Gordon Brown before, in 2024, issuing a surprising endorsement for Conservative MP Mark Francois – on the basis of his work with Armed Forces veterans. In 2012, Kemp’s time spent in Hugo Chávez’s “socialist utopia” of Venezuela was a dramatic eye-opener. In the resulting documentary, we saw Kemp’s visible shock as he visited a hospital whose staff simply couldn’t work fast enough to triage the victims of shootings arriving every few minutes at Caracas’s infamous El Helicoide jail, which had been run by its own inmates for the previous five years. As revealing as Kemp’s trips to the world’s most fractious hot spots are, one thing he withholds from viewers is the effect that these trips have on him. In the past, he’s said that his experiences following troops fighting in the Helmand province in Afghanistan left him “self-medicating”. Not just Afghanistan – his final day in El Helicoide affected him so profoundly that his time there climaxed in a messy night on Johnnie Walker that saw him smash several of his teeth. It doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving a Tripadvisor review for the dentist who treated him any time soon. “It was my first time on whisky and I managed to fall out with the people around me. The next day, they had to wake up the local dentist on her day off and try and stick something on me that would pass as teeth for the rest of the filming. She went at me with a chisel, no anaesthetic. The pain was awful, but the humiliation was worse.” This, being 2012, was also the year Kemp met his current wife, corporate lawyer Renee O’Brien – and, should he ever get the call, the story of how they met is surely one he can use on Would I Lie to You? In Afghanistan, he learnt that one issue faced by some soldiers was that the conditions there caused their underwear to “rot on them as they got soaked in ditches in 40 degree heat”. Leaning on the contacts he had, he pitched an idea for underpants containing silver (for its antibacterial properties) to his friend Bobby who worked for the luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur. The pants never happened but Bobby did tell him about his friend Renee, with whom he thought Kemp might hit it off. For Kemp, one of the big draws from the outset was the fact that O’Brien “hadn’t seen a single thing I was in”. Fourteen years after that first blind date in a Marylebone private members’ club, Kemp says that O’Brien still hasn’t seen any of his TV work. “That’s definitely part of the attraction!” he laughs. “In terms of what you see on paper, we’re probably incompatible. And yet…” Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. And yet the pair went on to have three children: Leo (10) and eight- year-old twins Ava and Kitty, in addition to Oliver, Kemp’s 15-year-old son from a prior relationship with make-up artist Nicola Coleman. Childcare is shared between them. Yesterday it was Kemp’s turn and his account of the day has the feel of one of his front-line reports. “With it being Easter, they’re off school so I was being a taxi for most of the day, taking them to different clubs and things. Then it was cooking dinner. One wanted a bit of barbecue, but his sister wanted to have something cooked in the oven – so I was trying to juggle two meals while they were fighting over who was on the trampoline and who was pushing who. Also the dog wanted feeding and… You know, these are very simple things, but often a day in the field can be easier because all you’ve got to look after is yourself as opposed to three children under the age of 11. And no one was satisfied at the end of it!” Except that, having reached a point in his career that allows him to pivot between drama, documentaries and his BBC One game show Bridge of Lies, Kemp says, “Life is about as good as it can be right now.” He can recall the occasion he was running from sniper fire in Karachi and a woman in a tuk-tuk shouted, “Oi! Are you Grant Mitchell?” in a Brummie accent – but at the same time, he’s also tickled when I tell him that my Gen Z daughters only know him through YouTube clips from Extreme World. He insists that “there’s never been a strategy to any of this, so I don’t see any reason to start now.” Beyond this current spell in EastEnders, the only plan to which he’s committed to is a trip aboard Steve McFadden’s 72ft-long fishing boat with McFadden and Paul Bradley – “sort of a three-men-in-a-boat type of thing”, he explains. “We’ll go off down the Thames and end up having a nice dinner together, which is what gentlemen of our age should be doing.” And is there room for a new documentary series to boot? “I think there should be!” Watch this space. Photography: Nicky Johnston @nickyjohnston Grooming: Bryony Blake @bryony_blake The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs surprise unannounced return in Ravi storyline with early BBC iPlayer release
This article contains discussion of topics including self-harm that some readers may find upsetting. A former EastEnders character has staged an unannounced return amid Ravi Gulati's (Aaron Thiara) worsening mental health. Last week, viewers saw Ravi mocked by Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) for helping to clean out Penny Branning's (Kitty Castledine) new shop unit on Turpin Road. Ordinarily, he would've reacted, but instead he just watched on with a vacant expression. He then fell asleep in The Queen Vic, preparing to attack landlady Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) when she attempted to wake him. Step-mum Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) was alerted to what was unfolding, and Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) had to open up about his recent struggles. That night, while lay in bed, Ravi sprung upwards and tried to lash out at a sleeping Priya. Unfortunately, matters worsened in today's episode, as the realisation of what had happened weighed heavy on him. In the kitchen, he self-harmed again, and Priya rushed him to hospital. He'd cut deeply into his leg, and was terrified of the consequences. Both Ravi and Priya got more than they bargained for in a side ward. The agency doctor attending to him was Nina Gupta (Hersha Verity), his ex-girlfriend and former step-mother. Nina appeared on the BBC soap in 2022. She was married to Ranveer Gulati (Anil Goutam), and was secretly plotting to kill him with Ravi. When Ranveer attempted to sexually assault Suki, Ravi went through with the deed and she was part of the cover up. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. The two attempted to frame Suki, though eventually Ravi stood by his family and chose to disown Nina instead. Priya wasn't happy with her treating Ravi, and was terrified of what she would do. She promised that she was on their side, but said that it appeared that he'd been stabbed and therefore she had a duty to report this to the police. While not wanting to speak up about Ravi's recent torment, Priya knew that she had little option. After receiving treatment, Nina questioned whether he had a proper support network. She knew that Ranveer had raised Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) in Priya's absence, and branded her a liability. She also wondered what had caused Ravi to be in such a condition, as despite a "wobble" after killing Ranveer, he made a fairly quick recovery. Nina then explained that she was prepared to discharge him on the condition that he continued working with his therapist. Back in Walford, Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) raised the alarm when Nugget went missing. He'd been confronted by some peers about his epileptic seizures in McKlunky's, and rushed off in embarrassment. Ravi was on the warpath to find his son, and was concerned that his phone was turned off. He marched through the streets, and at one point, believed that Harry was responsible for his disappearance. Priya managed to break up an uncomfortable encounter between the men, just as Nugget appeared. Ravi demanded that he went home, and with Priya sleeping on the sofa, he began to put measures in place to stop them leaving. Can Ravi get the help he needs, and is this the last we've seen of Nina? 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 Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Ross Kemp reveals plans for real-life boating trip with two fellow EastEnders icons
Kemp, Steve McFadden and Paul Bradley will be taking a trip down the Thames on McFadden’s 72ft-long fishing boat.
Ross Kemp has revealed that he has a real life boating trip planned with fellow EastEnders icons Steve McFadden and Paul Bradley. Kemp made the comments during an exclusive interview with Radio Times when asked what other projects he had in the pipeline beyond his much publicised upcoming return to Albert Square. "There’s never been a strategy to any of this, so I don’t see any reason to start now," he said of his career, before adding that the only thing he was currently committed to was a trip aboard McFadden’s 72ft-long fishing boat with those fellow stars. "It's sort of a three-men-in-a-boat type of thing," he explained. "We’ll go off down the Thames and end up having a nice dinner together, which is what gentlemen of our age should be doing." Asked if there might be room for the trip to be immortalised in a TV documentary, he added: "I think there should be!" Kemp will be reprising his iconic role as Grant Mitchell once again later this month, just over a year after he last briefly returned as part of the show's 40th anniversary celebrations in February 2025. Speaking earlier about stepping back into the role, Kemp said: "I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year. "As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life." Radio Times can confirm that Kemp's comeback scenes will air on Monday 27 April. You can read our full interview with Ross Kemp in the next issue of Radio Times magazine. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders spoilers as return confirmed for vile villain in all-new story for George Knight
They last appeared in the soap two years ago.
George Knight (Colin Salmon) is set to receive a chilling shock in forthcoming EastEnders episodes - as adoptive father Eddie (Christopher Fairbank) stages a return. Auf Wiedersehen, Pet star Fairbank portrayed Eddie across 16 episodes in early 2024, and was eventually sent down for the murder of George's birth father, Henry Asare, four decades previously. An EastEnders spokesperson told Radio Times: "We can confirm Christopher Fairbank will be returning to EastEnders for a short stint later this spring." Arriving into Albert Square alongside wife Gloria (Elizabeth Counsell), it quickly transpired that their motives for reuniting with their son were deeply sinister. George discovered that he was adopted from West Africa as part of a baby farming agreement, and when Henry was sent to the UK to collect him, Gloria pleaded with Eddie to do whatever it took to stop him. With a number of his racist cronies, Eddie beat Henry to death before stuffing his body into a suitcase and throwing it into the canal. A young George witnessed the incident, unaware of Henry's true identity. In court, George gave Eddie a damning character reference, and he was put behind bars. On the same day, Gloria became unwell and passed away. He took control of the funeral arrangements, banishing George from attending the ceremony and not telling him when it was taking place. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. The news, which was first reported in The Sun, couldn't come at a worse time for George, who seems to finally be back on the right path towards happiness following the birth of his daughter, Ivy. He's also launched a new business venture, Knight Fusion, and has formed a relationship with Ivy's rather complicated mum, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington). At the time of his casting in 2024, Fairbank said, "I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to join the cast of EastEnders. Everyone has been so welcoming, and it’s been fantastic to meet and work with the brilliant actors involved in the show." 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 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Ravi Gulati's mental health worsens and Grant Mitchell return teased Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders first-look pictures reveal Grant's return – and Mitchell family reunion after 10 years
There's not long to wait to see Grant back in Albert Square.
Walford's prodigal son and original hard man Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) is returning to EastEnders later this month. Kemp last slipped on Grant's leather jacket in February 2025 as part of the BBC soap's 40th anniversary celebrations, when he briefly returned amid concerns about brother Phil’s (Steve McFadden) deteriorating mental health. He also shared scenes with Paul Bradley, who plays Grant's old school mate Nigel Bates. Living with young-onset dementia, Nigel was offered a home at Grant's villa in Portugal, though he chose to stay living with Phil. It was revealed earlier this year that, with Nigel's health rapidly deteriorating, he would be lured back to support him once more. Spoilers for next week's episodes show that estranged son Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) is the one to put in the call to Grant, despite Sam's (Kim Medcalf) reluctance to see her brother. The forthcoming episodes will be the first time Mark comes face-to-face with his father, having learned the truth about his parentage in 2016. Speaking about stepping back into the role, Kemp said: "I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year. "As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life." Radio Times can confirm that Kemp's comeback scenes will air on Monday 27 April. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. New on-set photos show Grant with his siblings, the first time they have all been together since matriarch Peggy's (Barbara Windsor) funeral a decade ago. It's also an off-screen reunion for Kemp and Medcalf, who are working together again after 20 years. Sam was portrayed by Danniella Westbrook the last time the characters shared a scene. In another snap, which is taken in the kitchen of No 55 Victoria Road – home of the Mitchell clan for the last 16 years – Grant poses with Mark. Will they manage to form a relationship? On the return, executive producer Ben Wadey said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross back once more to the legendary role of Grant. The Mitchells remain one of EastEnders’ defining dynasties, and we can’t wait to see them reunited again. "As always when Grant is around, drama inevitably follows him…" Read more about Ross Kemp's return to EastEnders in next week's Radio Times magazine. Read more: 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 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Ravi Gulati's mental health worsens and Grant Mitchell return teased Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders reveals Vicki and Zack's blackmailer in early BBC iPlayer release - and it's not who you'd expect
Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) has been left gobsmacked after the identity of her blackmailer was revealed in EastEnders. Earlier this week, following her hen do, Vicki enjoyed a passionate moment with Zack Hudson (James Farrar). This isn't the first time the two have connected, despite being warned by Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) about pursuing something serious. While Vicki told fiancé Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) that she had been unfaithful, she didn't tell him who with! Little did the two realise at the time, someone had snapped a picture of their illicit encounter. Matters worsened when Vicki received a text demanding £20,000, and she was forced to tell brother Mark (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) what had happened. He used some software to determine where the message had been sent from, and the pinpoint was on Lauren Beale's (Jacqueline Jossa) house. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and son Peter (Thomas Law) had credible alibis - they'd both been in the cinema when the text was sent, so it couldn't be them. Lauren was completely clueless, as was Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) - until he clocked what was going on. He urged Vicki to come clean to Ross before the blackmailer had opportunity to, but it wasn't long before the culprit was revealed. While visiting Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) in his care home, Ian and Kathy clocked that their grandson Louie (Jake McNally) was acting strangely. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. He seemed to be fixated on his phone, and quickly discovered why. They took him back to Albert Square for an audience with Vicki, who asked him to delete the image and never speak of what he saw. She also questioned how he knew what blackmail was - and he spilled that his granny Cindy had told him that it was sometimes a "necessary evil"! Very Cindy. Louie also explained that he'd only asked for the money in order to support Lauren and Peter, who were wanting to raise funds to send his little brother Jimmy to a specialist nursery. Later, Ian told Vicki and Zack that he felt guilty lying to Ross. She shouldn't be marrying him, and that there was clearly a lack of trust in their relationship. He said that he wouldn't be able to look Ross in the face and be his best man on the wedding day, and that he'd have to back out. Ian also asserted that if he knew they'd been together again, he'd tell Ross everything. That night, things turned incredibly awkward. A disheartened Zack had been asked to replace Ian, and so not to arouse anymore suspicion, he'd accepted. Will Louie keep quiet, and will Vicki and Zack be able to resist temptation? Read more: 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 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Ravi Gulati's mental health worsens and Grant Mitchell return teased Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders blackmail intensifies as Vicki Fowler accuses innocent locals in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Wednesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on ITVX.
Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Zack Hudson's (James Farrar) blackmailer has upped their game in EastEnders, after she wrongly accused a member of her own family. Earlier this week, the two shared a passionate kiss after Vicki's hen do. Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) had asked him to be the stripper, and although this made Vicki feel uncomfortable at first, she couldn't deny the chemistry between them both and they shared a charged moment. Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) - who is well aware of her infidelity - clocked them gazing into one another's eyes and fired the Harry's Barn fire alarm to shut it down. However, outside the bar, they fell into a passionate embrace. Little did they realise, someone was watching from afar and had snapped a sneaky picture. They then texted Vicki demanding her to pay up, or they'd show her fiancé Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) the evidence. In today's episode, Vicki hadn't slept, and rushed over to The Queen Vic kitchen to ask Zack what their action plan was going to be. She couldn't help but notice that he didn't seem to be bothered by the blackmail, evidently because she had a lot more to lose than he did. Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) then walked in, and made a comment about seeing some sort of footage of them both. It turned out that she'd actually seen the video of him stripping, though Vicki accused her of being the blackmailer. With nowhere left to turn, Vicki admitted all to brother Mark (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), and he used some software to determine where the message had been sent from. The pinpoint was on Lauren Beale's (Jacqueline Jossa) house, and they wasted no time in charging over to the car lot to confront her. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Lauren was completely oblivious, and Vicki had to cover by saying she wondered whether there was an issue between them because she failed to attend her hen do. In complete despair, she and Zack retreated to the Square Gardens to discuss what they were going to do. Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), having also seen the video of him stripping, made a comment about how close they seemed. Vicki jumped to the conclusion that he must be responsible for the blackmail. Of course, he wasn't, but during the conversation he did learn that she'd been unfaithful. Just as Kathy urged her to tell Ross the truth, another text message came in - this time demanding £20k for their silence. What will Vicki and Zack do? Read more: EastEnders airs shock passion for Zack Hudson in early BBC iPlayer release - and it's not Vicki Fowler 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Ravi Gulati's mental health worsens and Grant Mitchell return teased Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs shock passion for Zack Hudson in early BBC iPlayer release - and it's not Vicki Fowler
Zack Hudson (James Farrar) has jumped into another woman's bed in EastEnders amid his affair with Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). Just yesterday, the two shared a passionate kiss after Vicki's hen do. He'd been roped into being the stripper, and although this initially made her feel deeply uncomfortable, she couldn't deny the chemistry between them both. Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) - who is well aware of her infidelity and warned against upsetting their mutual sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) - clocked the interaction and fired the Harry's Barn fire alarm to stop them. However, outside in the cold, Vicki offered Zack her coat and they began to kiss. Little did they realise, someone witnessed them and snapped a quick photo. In today's episode, Zack tried to corner Vicki in the kitchen and talk about the kiss and what it meant for them both moving forward. Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) had urged him to seize the day and lay his heart on the line, though she didn't want to discuss it. Vicki insisted that, despite her feelings, there could never be anything between them. Any doubts about her future with fiancé Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) were then quashed when he reassured her that he'd be sorting an alternative living arrangement for abusive teenage son Joel (Max Murray) when his six month stint in a young offenders institute came to an end. As viewers will recall, Joel assaulted Vicki and left her for dead, and she's now fearful that he will play a part in their future. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. With his tail between his legs, Zack wandered off to Harry's Barn to drown his sorrows and to update Sam on what had happened. The pair enjoyed a heart-to-heart, and Sam revealed that she'd just received the news that she was clear following her breast cancer diagnosis. With sparks beginning to fly, the pair headed into the office and slept together. This clearly showed Zack that there is life beyond his current affection for Vicki, and he headed home to break the news that he was prepared to let things go. However, before they could have a full conversation, she received a text containing the photo of them kissing. The accompanying message read: "I won't tell if you pay me." Who is blackmailing Vicki and Zack? Read more: 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Ravi Gulati's mental health worsens and Grant Mitchell return teased Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Ravi Gulati's mental health worsens and Grant Mitchell return teased
Max and Cindy grow closer after a car crash, and Nigel takes a turn for the worse.
A busy week is ahead in EastEnders as Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) takes a turn for the worse. After effectively holding his family hostage in their own home, a huge argument escalates and girlfriend Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) makes an attempt to get him the help he needs. Their son Davinder "Nugget" (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) experiences another seizure, and Priya crashes a car into Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). Meanwhile, Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) resorts to asking for Mark Fowler's (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) help once again, and Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) is acting strangely. When news reaches Albert Square that Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) pneumonia has worsened, Mark ignores his aunty Sam's (Kim Medcalf) wishes and decides to call his dad Grant (Ross Kemp). Here's everything happening in EastEnders between Monday 20th and Thursday 23rd April. 6 EastEnders spoilers for next week 1. Ravi Gulati's mental health crisis worsens Ravi continues to wrestle with a growing sense of helplessness, convinced he can no longer protect those closest to him. Though he’s determined to keep his struggles under wraps, Priya is becoming increasingly alarmed following his recent self-harm and takes matters into her own hands by bringing him to the hospital for support. Elsewhere, tensions boil over in McKlunky’s when Nugget confronts Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips) and his mates after discovering they’ve filmed and shared footage of one of his seizures. Humiliated, Nugget rushes out, prompting a frantic search from Ravi. When father and son are finally reunited, Ravi is clearly shaken and lashes out, insisting the family return home immediately. Back at the flat, Ravi attempts to regain control by proposing a ‘reset day’, urging the family to stay in, play games and watch films. However, it soon becomes clear to Priya that this is more than a simple bonding exercise. As she quietly contemplates escape, Ravi doubles down, adamant that they are safest behind closed doors. Matters escalate when Nugget stumbles upon a discovery that leads him to confront his father head-on. Ravi’s subsequent revelation sends shockwaves through the family, with Nugget unleashing his anger in a fierce verbal attack towards his dad. Priya clocks that Ravi is distracted attempts to slip away, only to be caught by him. Thinking quickly, she suggests they leave Walford together under the guise of keeping everyone safe - though her true aim is to get Ravi the help he desperately needs. Taking a car from the lot, Priya bundles the family inside and sets off for the hospital, but her plan begins to unravel when Ravi realises something is amiss and challenges her. Suddenly, Nugget suffers another seizure, causing Priya to lose concentration and the car veers wildly out of control - straight into Max and Cindy, who are heading home from a nursery mixer with Jimmy. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. In the aftermath, Ravi retreats back to Walford alone, while Priya soon follows, desperately searching for him. It isn’t long before she tracks him down on the viaduct, where, in an emotional exchange, she finally gets through to him. Accepting that he needs help, Ravi agrees to step back from the edge.< 2. Max Branning and Cindy Beale grow closer Max wastes no time ensuring Cindy and Jimmy are safely out of the wreckage following the crash. Relieved that they’ve escaped serious harm, the pair share a tender moment before heading to the hospital together, where their bond continues to grow.</span Is she one step closer to becoming the next Mrs Branning? 3. Lauren Beale teams up with Mark Fowler again Lauren’s bid to make a success of the car lot takes a new turn when Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) points her towards a contact selling cut-price vintage motors ripe for restoration. Striking a deal with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) for repairs, Lauren is surprised when Mark steps in, offering to take on the work himself. However, her optimism is short-lived when the first car arrives - and it’s far from what she’d hoped for. After taking a closer look, Mark delivers the bad news that there’s little chance of turning a profit, though he vows to help her claw back the losses. 4. Elaine Peacock and Ian Beale make amends At the council gala, Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) finds herself out of her depth as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) effortlessly works the room. Following a tense encounter with another guest, the pair reach an uneasy truce, agreeing to put their past differences aside. How long will the truce last? 5. Lexi Pearce is a cause for concern The Mitchells rally around Lexi after she refuses to attend school again. With concerns mounting, Sam turns to Phil, convinced he’s the only one who can reach her. As he steps in, the family uncover the real reason behind Lexi’s behaviour. Is she worried about Nigel again? 6. Mark contacts Grant Mitchell as Nigel Bates's health declines Worries grow for Nigel as Sam reveals to Phil that his pneumonia has significantly worsened. As the news spreads to Sam and Mark, the latter suggests informing Grant. However, Sam is quick to shut the idea down, pointing out that Grant has ignored all her attempts to contact him. Reflecting on how fractured the Mitchell family has become since Peggy’s death, Sam admits just how far they’ve drifted. Mark, however, sees a glimmer of hope. He suggests that Nigel’s illness could be the catalyst to reunite them - and, acting on impulse, he leaves Grant a voicemail urging him to return to the Square. When will Grant stage his comeback? Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders' Vicki Fowler and Zack Hudson caught out amid affair story by mystery local in early BBC iPlayer release
It was only a matter of time before someone else caught Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) in the act. The EastEnders love triangle story is in full swing, and despite Kathy Beale's (Gillian Taylforth) earlier reservations and warning against it, the two just can't resist one another. This is despite the fact Vicki is engaged to Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw), and their wedding prep is seemingly full steam ahead with the organisation of hen and stag parties. Denise, Kim and Chelsea Fox (Diane Parish, Tameka Empson and Zaraah Abrahams) turned up on Vicki's doorstep in today's episode, dressed up in '60s style wigs and costumes. They told her to turn up at Harry's Barn that evening, though she couldn't help but feel that it wasn't an appropriate time to celebrate. She'd learnt that Ross's son Joel (Max Murray) - who almost killed her last year - had only received six months in a young offenders institute and therefore would be returning to Walford sooner than expected. Although she told Ross that she'd support whatever decision he made about Joel's future, she told him that she didn't want to live with the abusive teen. With that playing on her mind, Vicki headed to the club to meet her friends. It was an obvious struggle, and when the conversation turned to what first attracted her to Ross, she reflected on the understanding he had for her - though was now unsure whether this was the case. Kim decided to lighten the mood and asked Vicki's brother Mark (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) to be the stripper. He laughed about how inappropriate it was, but agreed to accompany her to The Vic to find a suitable replacement. Just moments before, Zack had opened up to Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) about his feelings for Vicki. She wondered how things were now they were living under the same roof, and he said that all he wanted was for her to be happy. Zack noted that he just wanted the same, but couldn't help but feel that their fling was more than just a sordid afternoon with each other now and again. It felt electric, and something he'd never experienced before. Sam urged him to fight for what he wanted. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. When Kim and Mark headed to the pub, Vicki sent Ross a text saying that they should meet up and make things right. He didn't see the message, and instead Zack managed to swoop in before him by agreeing to be the stripper. Vicki was initially hesitant to entertain his act, though the two soon gazed into one another's eyes and Kathy spotted them from across the room. In order to break up the interaction, she smashed her hand into the fire alarm. Outside on the street, Vicki offered a cold Zack her coat and they began to kiss. Things quickly turned intensely passionate, and they were unaware that Ross was heading in their direction. A number of locals were floating around - including the other hen party attendees, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and her grandson Louie (Jake McNally). It was only a matter of time before somebody saw them. As Ross began to call Vicki, Zack fled - unaware that someone had snapped a picture of them both kissing. Who caught them in the act, and what will they do with the incriminating evidence? Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers this week: Vicki Fowler and Zack Hudson targeted by mystery blackmailer EastEnders airs Nicola Mitchell twist after Penny Branning blackmail in early BBC iPlayer release EastEnders airs major paternity reveal for pregnant Penny Branning in early BBC iPlayer release Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders reveals Ravi Gulati mental health storyline to reach climax this month - as key charity involvement confirmed
Ravi Gulati's emotional turmoil reaches a crisis point this April.
This article includes discussion of suicide that some readers may find distressing. Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) is to reach a crisis point on EastEnders later this month. The BBC One soap has been airing an ongoing storyline surrounding the character's mental health in recent months as Ravi has begun to self-harm and grown increasingly erratic and unstable. In a career-best performance from Thiara, viewers have seen Ravi dealing with immense guilt surrounding his criminal exploitation of vulnerable Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) and Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) in a drug operation. If that wasn't enough, he's also had to come to terms with violently attacking his son Davinder 'Nugget' Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) after being spiked in a revenge plot by the Mitchells, and also dealing with the pressure of being an undercover informant for the police in an organised crime organisation. In the coming weeks, as he continues to fear for protecting his family, Ravi's spiralling mental health will lead him to consider taking his own life. Ravi's partner, Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy), step-mother Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal), and his children will be seen trying their hardest to help, and will ultimately get him the help he needs. EastEnders has also confirmed that the soap has been working with Samaritans on the story in a bid to portray these scenes as accurately and sensitively as possible. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Executive Producer Ben Wadey said of the story: "EastEnders always takes great care when researching storylines such as Ravi’s and we’re grateful to Samaritans for the advice they have given us, helping us ensure Ravi’s story is told with the care and sensitivity it deserves." Meanwhile, Lorna Fraser, Head of Media Advisory Service at Samaritans, added: "Storylines responsibly reflecting experiences of mental health and suicide can help tackle stigma and encourage viewers who might be struggling to talk about how they are feeling. "We’re proud to have supported EastEnders with covering Ravi’s self-harm and mental health crisis sensitively and grateful for their efforts in making this as safe as possible. We hope it helps anyone watching to seek support if they need it." If you need help and support on issues raised within this article, please visit Samaritans, CALM, Rethink Mental Illness and Mind for guidance. Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Vicki Fowler and Zack Hudson targeted by mystery blackmailer EastEnders reveals Jasmine Fisher trial outcome and emotional exit in dramatic early BBC iPlayer release EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap? Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders reveals Jasmine Fisher trial outcome and emotional exit in dramatic early BBC iPlayer release
The jury's verdict is in - is EastEnders' Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) guilty, or not guilty? For months, the relative newcomer has been locked up awaiting trial for the murder of her own father, Anthony Trueman, on Christmas Day. It was just moments after she'd realised he was her birth dad, when he suddenly lunged towards her and she killed him with a salt lamp. Birth mum Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) was out cold on the floor beside him, but after regaining consciousness, she decided to hand herself in for the crime to save Jasmine. Just weeks later, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) betrayed her granddaughter and reported her to the police. Footage of the incident was recorded on Jasmine's phone, though it didn't fall back into the Slater family's hands until fairly recently. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) - who had her own vendetta against Jasmine - had stolen the device in the hope it would put her behind bars permanently. However, she quickly became guilt-ridden and planned to plant the phone in The Vic, but was caught in the act. For most of this week, it seemed that the video wouldn't be enough evidence to prove that Jasmine acted in self-defence. Her paternal grandfather Patrick (Rudolph Walker) recorded a character statement that completely discredited her innocence, while Kat agreed that she couldn't be 100 per cent sure that she wasn't lying. Legal eagle Richie Scott (Sian Webber) urged Jasmine to change her plea to guilty, saying that it was looking incredibly likely that they wouldn't believe her. In a true soapy twist, the outcome of the trial was delivered in today's instalment. Jasmine was found not guilty, and was free to leave. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Back in Walford, as her newfound family celebrated the win, not everything was sunshine and roses. The Trueman clan were still suspicious, and had welcomed her twin brother Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) into their home so that he didn't have to move to Southend with adoptive mother Sandra (Dawn Steele). Tensions were also bubbling between Jasmine and Sandra, who hadn't seen one another in over a decade. Jasmine was the passenger in the car that Sandra's husband Keith was driving when he was involved in a fatal road traffic collision, and there were still a lot of unanswered questions about that day. Sandra noted that her former adoptive daughter's expression seemed vague and emotionless in the aftermath, and she couldn't be sure if she was somewhat responsible. Jasmine explained that she had watched Keith die, and in the aftermath she also became estranged from Josh and Sandra. It was one of the most difficult times of her life, and changed her as a person. Kat reassured her that she could put the past behind her. It was a new beginning with the Slater clan, and Jasmine embraced the idea of changing her surname. Is this the end of Jasmine's turmoil, or is there something yet to be unearthed? Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Vicki Fowler and Zack Hudson targeted by mystery blackmailer EastEnders airs Nicola Mitchell twist after Penny Branning blackmail in early BBC iPlayer release EastEnders airs major paternity reveal for pregnant Penny Branning in early BBC iPlayer release Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.