The EastEnders two-episode Christmas special served up a double dose of drama, which saw Nigel Bates return to Albert Square and Cindy Beale knocked out by an anonymous assailant with a shovel.
Nigel, played by Paul Bradley, returns to the soap after almost three decades away, having left in April 1998 with his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), moving to Scotland to be with partner Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn) and her son, Josh Saunders (Jon Lee).
Cindy, played by Michelle Collins, has been in the BBC soap on and off since 1988, returning from France with husband Ian Beale for her most recent stint in Walford in 2023.
The character’s dramatic storyline began earlier in the episodes when Lauren Branning reveals she has a recording of a conversation that lifts the lid on Cindy’s affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour).
The audio reveals Cindy talking to David Bates, Ian’s half brother who she once cheated on him with, and telling him that she had “settled for Ian” describing him as “the easy path”.
Cindy also further reveals that she loves Junior’s father George Knight, who she was once married to.
Confronting Lauren about the recording, Cindy asks her what she wants, to which she replies: “I want to watch you suffer, that’s enough for me.”
Lauren, played by Jacqueline Jossa, then drops a bombshell that she has gifted the audio as a secret Santa present to “someone special”, with Ian eventually unwrapping the USB, which had a note on it that read: “Play me for festive fun for all.”
Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, thinking it was a festive playlist, began playing the audio in the Queen Vic to a shocked Christmas gathering.
After hearing the audio, Ian throws a glass and punches Junior in the face and guests at the Christmas party scatter.
George’s wife Elaine Knight (formerly Peacock), played by Harriet Thorpe, questions him on his feelings for Cindy and accuses him of being “besotted” with her, to which he replies: “My own son, cheating with my wife (talking about Cindy).”
She then slaps him, and tells him “you can settle for her”.
Time’s up for Cindy… This Christmas on #EastEnders… ?? pic.twitter.com/4rgldigUHx
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) December 11, 2024
Elaine and George have been in a relationship since working in Marbella together off-screen, with Elaine returning to the soap with him in 2023 and the couple marrying in November this year.
George was previously married to Cindy prior to his first appearance in the soap in 2023, when she lived in Spain under the assumed name of Rose Sawyer, after being placed under a witness protection programme after informing on her cellmate.
Later in the special, Cindy attempts to persuade Ian to stay with her, but just as it appears the two are about to kiss, he tells her “almost”, before throwing her out of the house.
Left on her own, Cindy attempts to get on the tube, which is closed, and starts walking to get a taxi. An unseen character is seen picking up a shovel and the episode ends with Cindy being knocked unconscious.
During the festive special, EastEnders also paid homage to this year’s Oasis reunion announcement, with two posters hanging in the Queen Vic.
The episodes also featured some of the happenings in the Mitchell household, with Phil (Steve McFadden) discovering that Nigel has ended up homeless after splitting with Julie Haye.
Christmas is coming… #EastEnders #Cindy pic.twitter.com/xOrpsveQQF
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) December 23, 2024
After bumping into Nigel on a walk, Phil tells him: “Tonight you’re staying with me, I’ll get a pizza on.”
At the same time, Nigel is seen receiving a text from Julie, which reads: “Please come home.”
During his first appearance in the soap, Nigel’s biggest storylines saw him fall in love with his video shop employee Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett), before she is killed in a hit and run accident, and strike up a friendship with Dot Cotton, who saw him as the son she never had.
At school, Nigel was best friends with Phil and his brother Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).
This year’s festive episode was split into two parts, with the first airing before the Call The Midwife and Gavin And Stacey Christmas specials, and the second part airing after the final episode of the BBC sitcom.
