EastEnders fans were left devastated as beloved Nigel Bates passed away in heartbreaking new scenes. 

The character, played by Paul Bradley, returned to Walford during Christmas 2024 after an absence of 26 years.

Nigel has since battled dementia and has been cared for by wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) as well as best mate Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

Tonight's (April 29) special extended episode - which is already available on BBC iPlayer - sees Nigel pass away.

Nigel had been in hospital with pneumonia, while the doctor advised stopping his treatment and returning him to the care home for his final moments.

With Phil having been reluctant to see his old friend, his recently returned brother Grant (Ross Kemp) found him at the beach - looking for a skimming stone like a treasured one Nigel once owned.

The pair argued as old tensions came to the surface, including Grant's tryst with Sharon last year.

They were ultimately united to go and see Nigel together - but not before Phil found the perfect stone.

Disaster struck when Grant's car broke down, but he convinced a pizza delivery man to drive Phil to the care home - giving up his own chance to say goodbye to Nigel.  

After arriving, Phil handed over the chosen stone to Nigel and his hand closed around it. 

Nigel's poignant final moments featured imagined scenes of him and Phil sitting together on the beach.

Here, Nigel told Phil about the stone's significance - it reminded him of a cherished moment with his dad.

At the care home, Phil apologised to Nigel and Julie for not having visited although Julie understood he was grieving.

With Julie's encouragement, Phil opened up to Nigel with final words as his friend passed away.

Phil said: 'You showed me how to be a different kind of man. You showed me how to be strong without using my fists. 

'You showed me how to laugh when there weren't much to laugh about. You're the best mate I've ever had, Nige. I love you. And I'm going to be OK.'

Back on the imagined beach, Nigel gave the stone to Phil, saying he'd wanted it for him.

In an emotional moment, Nigel ventured towards the sea - where his younger self skimmed a stone across the water. 

Viewers next saw Nigel pass away peacefully, with a heartbroken Phil and Julie looking on, as Julia's Theme played.

Taking to X, one viewer wrote: '#EastEnders doing what they do best! True, real authentic storytelling with warmth & emotion at it's core. No other soaps do it better when it comes to episodes like this. 

'Phil and Nigel are one of the best friendships in the history of EE imo. I'll miss them so much.'

Another added: 'That was difficult to watch. Tears first thing in the morning is hard! Nigel will be missed! #Eastenders.'

A third penned: 'That episode was done so well when eastenders get it right they get it really RIGHT I haven't cried like that for eastenders episode since dots funeral, gonna miss nigel.'

A fourth said: 'Wow what a powerful and emotional episode of EastEnders I'm in bits. Paul Bradley thank you for Nigel Bates. Bravo to the cast.'

A fifth remarked: 'Nigel will be missed.' 

Speaking to the BBC about the impact his storyline made, Nigel actor Paul Bradley said: 'It's been an absolute privilege to return for a storyline that unfortunately is such a resonant subject for the viewers, but undoubtedly an important storyline to tell and raise awareness of. 

'Returning to the set, and cast, has been amazing and it's been a rollercoaster. The fact that Steve is still there, and that I could work with him again was fantastic.

'There is mutual admiration there, and so it was great being asked back, and a privilege to tell this story.'

EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.