It's the end of an era in EastEnders... Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) has left Albert Square to travel across India.
Henthorn reprised her role after 27 years away in July last year. This followed a brief voice-only appearance in the previous January.
Julie was seeking estranged husband Nigel (Paul Bradley), who had come to Walford after receiving a young-onset dementia diagnosis. He didn't want to burden her, and had instead struck up an agreement with old pal Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), where he would live with him and eventually act as his carer when the time came.
She gave Phil a frosty reception, believing he was in the wrong for harbouring Nigel's ill health from her, though eventually softened upon learning that they were her husband's wishes.
After settling in Walford, and getting a job at the high school, Julie has become a pillar of support within the community. She even became an unlikely player in the 'Manosphere' storyline involving Joel Marshall (Max Murray).
It's been a heartbreaking week for Julie, as Nigel was laid to rest. Her son Josh Saunders (Jon Lee) and stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) returned for the ceremony, which was almost waylaid when the hearse made an unscheduled diversion.
With Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) driving, he took Nige' on his final journey towards a warehouse, where Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) was being held hostage. Phil, with siblings Sam (Kim Medcalf) and Grant (Ross Kemp) then stormed in and demanded Mark's safe return.
After finally arriving at the church, the residents gathered for Julie's emotional eulogy. She then told Phil that she had intentions of returning to Scotland, where she and Nigel had lived for many years.
Phil assured her that she would always have a home with the Mitchells, and didn't have to go.
However, in today's episode, she finally plucked up the courage to read a letter that Nigel had written for her before he lost his cognitive capacity. It detailed how he'd left her his pension, and therefore she'd have enough money to afford their dream trip to India.
Julie broke down in tears and expressed her desire to give some of the money to Phil for everything he'd done, but he declined.
News of the holiday came as quite a surprise to Phil, though they both headed to The Vic to celebrate her new beginning. The drinks didn't last long, as she quietly slipped away.
When Phil realised that she was missing, he raced over to No. 55 and found a goodbye note:
"Thank you for everything," it read.
Racing over to the tube station, he managed to find her before she boarded. She thanked him for everything he'd done for Nigel, and for her, and said that she didn't want to make a fuss and couldn't face a big farewell.
The two exchanged a final hug before she headed off for India... will we ever see Julie again?
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