EastEnders is lining up a huge week for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), as his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) returns to Albert Square.

When Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) reaches out to her, she has absolutely no idea of her estranged husband’s young-onset dementia diagnosis.

Immediately coming to loggerheads with his caregiver Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), she decides that Nige’s place is with her in Scotland, and that he should return home.

Will Nigel agree to leave?

Another face from the past arriving in Walford is Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier), who immediately stirs up trouble for sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa).

He then turns his attention to scamming Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), before landing himself a job on the fruit and veg stall. His bad attitude softens when he learns that nephew Jimmy is blind.

Will he prove himself to be a changed character?

Elsewhere, Ian decides to put in a bid for The Queen Vic, deciding to build up the family business portfolio.

The Slater clan soon get wind of his idea, with Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Stacey (Lacey Turner) putting their heads together to try and save Jean’s (Gillian Wright) cleaning job.

Ian’s shocked when Stace’ produces a winning scratchcard worth £100k.

There’s all that, plus sparks flying for Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) and Callum Highway (Tony Clay) – a move which infuriates Phil – plus more danger for Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) as he becomes entwined in Ravi Gulati’s (Aaron Thiara) scheme.

Here’s a look at next week’s EastEnders…

Monday, July 14

Lauren is stunned when brother Oscar contacts her, and the two soon meet up. He explains his reasoning for being unable to return home, and catches her up on recent events.

Jack returns home from sister Suzy’s house and is greeted by Denise and the kids, and is shocked to see his nephew back on the Square.

Oscar becomes determined to set up home, laying on some emotional blackmail and eventually forcing Lauren to cave to his request. However, when alone, he receives a troubling message…

Nigel becomes emotional over pictures of Julie, and Jay is in disbelief that she has no idea about his young-onset dementia diagnosis. Phil insists that he should leave the matter, but after a conversation with Callum and Kat, decides to do some digging.

He can’t believe that Julie has been frantically looking for Nige, and decides to give her a call.

Elsewhere, Harry has an awful day after being forced to sell drugs for Ravi and deciding to leave the family home, and Linda tells Kat that she’s decided to take the pub to auction.

Tuesday, July 15

Julie marches into Walford and meets up with Jay, demanding to know what has happened to her husband. She’s taken aback when she approaches Phil and Nige on Bridge Street, and her beloved partner fails to recognise her.

An argument breaks out, and Nigel makes an angry outburst.

Later, Phil tries to find mutual ground with Julie by showing her a video that Nigel made, explaining his decision to leave their family home. Despite that, she decides that she wants him back in Scotland.

Oscar makes his mark on Albert Square, ruffling feathers with the locals and eventually, after sitting down with his uncle Jack, explains that he’s got a bad relationship with his parents.

Despite seeming to make a breakthrough, Oscar fakes a fall in the chip shop in order to get his hands on some of Ian’s cash. Stacey watches on, amused. But nobody is aware that a social working is also seeing the drama from afar…

Elsewhere, Ian decides that he wants to rebuilt the Beale empire by buying The Vic, and Kojo offers Harry a place to stay.

Wednesday, July 16

Phil is at loggerheads with Julie over her plan to take Nigel ‘home’ to Scotland, and Linda tries to support him.

Jay opens up to Julie about the close relationship Phil has with her husband, and as she learns more about what’s happened, is given fresh perspective.

However, when another argument breaks out, Nige rushes out.

Jean is concerned about losing her cleaning job at the pub if the Beales take charge, forcing Kat and Stacey to come up with a plan. Later, the floor drops from beneath Ian’s feet when he learns that Stacey has won £100k on a scratch card, and she intends to outbid him.

Oscar’s mayhem continues, and Lauren struggles to put him onto the right path. After a chat with Jack, she decides to offer her brother a job working on the fruit and veg stall.

He’s sceptical of the opportunity, but with Penny across the road, she manages to find an innovative way for him to give it a go.

Elsewhere, Callum becomes jealous after learning that Johnny had a one night stand, and they soon end up in one another’s arms again. Plus, George talks to Kojo about his concerns for Harry.

Thursday July 17

Linda invites Phil upstairs for a chat, and he’s furious to catch Callum and Johnny together. Jay, Callum and Billy have to force him off Johnny when he lashes out.

Later, Callum pleads with his father-in-law not to tell Ben or Lexi, but his words fall on flat ears.

A nasty argument breaks out when Jay tries to reason with Phil, and the family are divided.

Oscar has an eventful first day on the market stall and everyone reckons he won’t be back for a second. However, when he discovers that Jimmy is visually impaired, he proves that he does have a serious side and knuckles down to make things work.