What’s coming up in Walford?
Next week on EastEnders, Elaine makes a mistake that leaves three kids in hospital, while Phil struggles as Nigel’s condition deteriorates, and Nicola’s family plans go very wrong.
Here’s our round-up of all the biggest moments coming up in Albert Square. For even more soap gossip, you can also check out our collection of 92 spoiler pictures from next week’s episodes.
1. Nigel injures Phil
BBC
Phil gets concerned about Nigel when he spots his friend going outside barefoot – and he later finds that Nigel has caused chaos in the kitchen. The situation escalates quickly when the pair end up fighting over a pan of boiling water. Things clearly ended badly, as Kat later finds Phil injured and realises that something is wrong.
She urges her ex-husband to be honest about Nigel’s dementia and how he is currently coping. They have an honest conversation, and Kat finds out that Phil is exhausted and out of his depth as Nigel’s carer. She suggests that he should get some extra support, but Phil refuses.
2. Elaine and George clash
BBC
Yolande is secretly planning a party for Patrick’s 85th birthday, so he heads to The Vic to ask if the surprise bash can be held there. Linda is overwhelmed by her workload at the pub and is reluctant, but Elaine overrules her and agrees to host the celebration.
However, after accepting this task, it isn’t long before Elaine leaves Linda alone behind the bar again. George notices and steps in to help, but Elaine is furious when she spots him working with Linda. It becomes clear that there’s no chance of Elaine and George reuniting, and George later warns her that his solicitor says he could have a claim on The Vic.
3. Nicola has a plan
BBC
Nicola and Teddy are concerned about Barney, after finding out that the teen failed a chemistry exam because of stress. To try and cheer up her son, Nicola decides to bring back their family ‘half Christmas’ tradition, a day they celebrate in June. But Harry is furious and even invites Zack along to the party.
While Nicola decorates the house, Teddy gives her some brutal honesty – and Barney and Harry arrive home to find her destroying the living room.
4. Denzel shuts out Joel
BBC
Denzel agrees to babysit the Square’s younger children on the night of Patrick’s birthday party – and in return, Yolande allows him to have some friends over.
He invites Tommy, which pleases Jean, but Joel is also keen for an invite so he can get closer to his latest crush Amy. But Denzel makes it clear that Joel isn’t welcome, and later things get worse when Amy dismisses his attempts to flirt with her.
5. Jean questions Kat
BBC
Kat is hurt about Alfie not staying in contact with her while he’s away – but Jean says she still hasn’t forgiven her for going into business with Kathy and Harvey. Later, relations break down even further when Jean questions why Kat is spending so much time with Phil, though Kat insists that she’s just worried about him as a friend.
Jean keeps Patrick distracted while Yolande organises the party and she tells him about her feud with Kat. Patrick encourages her to make amends, but will she take his advice?
6. Nigel upsets Lexi
BBC
Nigel offers to help Lexi write a story as part of her homework for school. But things get tough for him when the pair begin talking about the past. When Phil arrives home, he soon realises that Nigel has got Lexi confused with his daughter Clare. As Phil struggles to calm the situation, Kat reiterates that he needs to accept help.
Later in the week, Denise reminds Phil to look after himself, as well as Nigel. Will Phil listen to his ex-partners?
7. Elaine causes carnage
BBC
Elaine goes all out for Patrick’s party, and he’s thrilled — even if the Trueman-Fox women aren’t too pleased. Meanwhile, Denzel plays host at home and distracts the younger kids with a film, while Joel manages to blag his way in using alcohol. Denzel and Joel later head to The Vic, where Elaine gets carried away and gives the teens a glass of punch each.
The pair secretly steal entire jugs of punch to take home, but they take their eye off the ball and later are horrified to discover that Raymond, Bert and Ernie have drunk the alcohol.
The next day, Linda is horrified by Elaine’s actions and is comforted by Johnny. At the hospital, worried mothers Denise and Kat discover that Elaine served the underage teens alcohol. Will Elaine face consequences?
8. Vicki gets suspicious
BBC
Felix is keen for Bernie to approve of his partner Johnny – but he remains unaware that Johnny helped cover up Keanu’s murder. Denise is scared about this, as if Johnny doesn’t win Bernie over, the shocking past might resurface.
Elsewhere, Vicki stumbles across some strange invoices while checking the Panesar family’s business accounts. She raises this with Bernie, but her concerns are quickly brushed aside.
9. Teddy compromises
BBC
Having tidied up her mess, Nicola welcomes her guests to her Christmas party. Billy and Honey get involved, but the event takes a turn when Zack arrives. Harry feels smug when Nicola kicks Zack out, while Teddy rushes after an upset Barney. During an honest chat, Teddy tells Barney he won’t stand in his way if he wants to get to know his biological dad.
Later, Nicola and Barney’s meal is interrupted by Zack, and more drama ensues. That evening, Nicola and George bond over their relationship breakdowns. Could this be the start of a new romance?
10. Bernie faces questions
BBC
While Ravi shows off his flash new car to Priya, Vicki is still concerned about the invoices she came across. She flags this with Bernie again to no avail, so Ross suggests that she speaks to Ravi instead. It turns out that Ravi knows nothing about this, and Vicki has made him suspicious.
As a result of this, Ravi and Suki confront Bernie about the strange invoices. Will they get to the truth?
