EastEnders spoilers for next week: Teen’s ‘distressing’ ordeal and Linda’s big decision

EastEnders fans can expect a mixture of emotional scenes, drama and horrifying moments next week(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

There’s huge moments ahead on EastEnders next week, with one teen in particular taking centre stage on the BBC soap.

Avani Nandra-Hart, aged 15, will face a terrifying ordeal after being wrongly accused of possessing drugs. The teenager, along with friends Amy Mitchell and Lily Slater, is taken to a police station where she soon learns she needs to be strip searched in horrifying scenes.

It will spark heartbreaking new scenes for the teenager, as we see her at her most vulnerable as she struggles in the wake of her ordeal. Elsewhere, Nigel Bates and Phil Mitchell both try to move forward after recent events, and their own turmoils.

But when Phil accidentally blurts out about Nigel’s ill health, following his dementia diagnosis, it leads to a clash and it seems Nigel reveals Phil’s own secret. But soon there’s a turning point for both troubled men, and a chance for them to open up about their mental health.

There’s also a huge decision that could be life-changing for one character next week, two years on from a harrowing d.e.a.t.h. Linda Carter looks set to finally move on after her husband Mick Carter’s presumed d.e.a.t.h in 2022.

Despite fans longing for a Mick return, scenes next week see her start to move forward with a huge change. Here’s what you can expect from next week’s episodes, with our Mirror soap insider spilling all…

There’s huge moments ahead on EastEnders next week(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Avani’s turmoil

After Avani and her pals Lily and Amy skip school for “an adventure day”, they have no idea of the horrifying events headed their way. As the girls bump into vape seller Marvin, he offers the teens drugs and Avani refuses.

But as some police officers spot the girls avoiding school, they see a bag of pills that have been dropped by Avani’s feet. They’re Marvin’s pills, but Avani is accused of possessing them, leading to the three teens being taken to the police station.

As Avani anxiously waits for her parents to come and get her, the mortified teen is told by officers they need to strip search her as they believe she could have more drugs concealed under her clothes. After her devastating ordeal takes place, her grandmother Suki Panesar is disgusted by the treatment the 15 year old has faced.

Avani refuses to lodge a complaint and soon enough, her mum Priya Nandra-Hart and dad Ravi Gulati find out what’s gone on and they want answers. Our soap insider has revealed what fans can expect from the heartbreaking episodes, with Avani set to face turmoil as she struggles with what’s happened – leading to her spiralling.

They told us: “Avani has to face something so distressing and on her own too. Her family isn’t there to support her initially, and she’s left in a terrifying position. She ends up lashing out to those closest to her, and it’s not long before she’s facing a downward spiral.

“We’ll see a much more vulnerable Avani as the week plays out, and this event could change her forever. The plot has huge repercussions not just for her, but those around her too.”

New love for Linda?

Linda Carter looks set to finally move on (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Linda Carter tries to set up her son Johnny with neighbour Felix Baker next week, but she ends up possibly finding a love interest herself. Linda makes a potentially life-changing decision next week as she decides to start dating again.

Two years on from the loss of her husband Mick Carter, who is presumed d.e.a.d and lost at sea, Linda braves a date with a man named Jeff. After months and months of turmoil with her alcoholism relapse, her grief and the recent destruction of her home, could Linda finally be due some happiness?

“Some joy has been a long time coming for Linda,” reveals our soap source. “She’s faced so much drama and heartache for so long now, it’s been non-stop. She finally lets her guard down with newcomer Jeff, and decides to put herself out there and have another chance at love. It’s a big moment for Linda, and hopefully a sign of things to come.”

Nigel and Phil’s battles

Phil accidentally blurts out about Nigel’s ill health(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Phil Mitchell is back in Walford after spending the past few weeks in a mental health unit following his psychosis and his suicide attempt. He’s back with pal and current housemate Nigel Bates, and it’s clear both men’s secrets are weighing heavy on them.

Phil is clear that he doesn’t want anyone to know about his recent trauma, while Nigel is still hiding his dementia diagnosis from most residents in Walford. But there comes a moment next week when both secrets come to light, and not in the best way.

It causes friction between the two friends, leading to others trying to bring them back together. But could this be the turning point Nigel and Phil need to open up and deal with their separate turmoils?

Our soap source says: “Nigel’s hidden health battle reaches a point where he can no longer hide what’s going on. It’s actually Phil who blurts out his friend is ill, leaving Nigel embarrassed and furious.

“Nigel snaps and soon Phil finds his own secret coming to light. It leads to the friends trying to face up to their demons and uniting together, and with their neighbours, to openly share what they’re going through. There’s some really moving scenes in the week ahead, and some touching moments that EastEnders just always gets right.”