It comes following a particularly emotional evening for Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) - who is living with young-onset dementia - when he realised that injuries to wife Julie's (Karen Henthorn) face were sustained as a result of him lashing out over his missing cufflinks.
She'd masked the bruises with makeup, but the lights from a projector displaying his Christmas film revealed all.
She wasn't alone, as her step-son Barry (Shaun Williamson) also appeared from beyond the grave, singing karaoke hits.
He walked around the bar and was surprised to see a younger Phil and Grant Mitchell (Daniel Delaney and Teddy Jay), who reminded him that the gift was missing and they had no idea who was keeping hold of it.
They darted over to the community centre to find Kat and Alfie Moon (Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie) so that they could get the keys and get to him before the situation escalated, unaware that he was now envisioning Debbie - marking actress Nicola Duffett's return to the serial after three decades away.
Meanwhile, Phil presented Julie with a necklace from Nigel, which he had been keeping safe hoping that it would help her to break through to him and separate the two realities he was experiencing.
The events of the day made Phil realise that perhaps Julie was right to suggest an alternative care arrangement - and he was the one who would have to break the news.
How will Nigel, Phil and Julie navigate their future?
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Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.
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.
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