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Reality hits hard for Phil. The pressure grows for Ronnie as Jack pushes ahead with their future. Jane opens up to Stacey.

At No. 55, Louise is disgusted that Ben isn鈥檛 coming to the hospital to support Phil during his liver transplant assessments. In hospital, Phil鈥檚 surly with his dietician, but mellows when she reminds him no-one鈥檚 forcing him to have the tests - he needs to want the transplant for himself. Phil talks about his time in counselling with the alcohol liaison officer; he explains he drank because he was scared he鈥檇 turn into his father but is quick to acknowledge that his illness is his own fault. Later, with Sharon and Louise by his side, Phil talks to a transplant co-ordinator, Liz, about after-care. Liz tries to prepare them - sometimes they don鈥檛 find a liver in time.

Louise is adamant that won鈥檛 happen to Phil. Alone with Liz, emotional Sharon talks about her mum鈥檚 battle with liver failure - she can鈥檛 watch her husband die. Meanwhile, watched by nurses, Phil struggles to climb the hospital stairs, determined to prove he鈥檚 fit enough for the operation. Later, Phil informs Sharon that the doctors are impressed with his attitude and will decide on Friday if he鈥檚 on the transplant list. Vulnerable, Phil frets that he might not get a liver and he doesn鈥檛 want to die. Sharon grips Phil鈥檚 hand tight, swearing they鈥檒l get through it together - she won鈥檛 let him die.

Ronnie鈥檚 researching schools in Ongar, and struggles to cover her worries as Jack plans to tell the kids about the move and urges her to sell the gym. On the market, hung-over Roxy discusses the move with Donna; she makes Roxy consider that, even though it hurts, Ronnie and Jack can give Amy security that Roxy can鈥檛. Meanwhile, Jack proposes a wedding date to Ronnie 鈥� New Year鈥檚 Day. Ronnie hates the idea as it鈥檚 the day she married Charlie and the day after James died.

Later, Roxy finds a forlorn Ronnie stood outside R&R. Roxy drags her to the caf茅 where Ronnie fills her in about the gym; Ronnie鈥檚 fearful on relying on a man for money. Roxy assures Ronnie that Jack鈥檚 a good man and she can trust him 鈥� he can give Amy everything she can鈥檛. Later at No. 27, Ronnie and Jack tell the kids they鈥檙e moving to Ongar, and Ronnie adds they鈥檙e getting married on New Year鈥檚 Day - it鈥檚 time for a new start. As Jack kisses Ronnie, Roxy sadly watches the happy family.

On Bridge Street, things are frosty as Babe informs Kathy that the Vic is planning to start serving breakfast. In the caf茅, Kathy vents to Tina about Geraldine鈥檚 poor direction of 鈥楢 Christmas Carol鈥�. Tina advises she stick up for herself. During another disastrous rehearsal, Kathy can鈥檛 hide her derision. Riled, Geraldine demands the cast choose between her and Kathy; she storms out when everyone sides with Kathy. Later at darts practice, Lee suggests Kathy organise the Christmas show herself. Kathy鈥檚 initially unsure but, supported by the others, accepts the challenge.

Moody Bex finds Shakil waiting for her at the bus stop; she鈥檚 stressed that everyone at school is talking about them not having sex. He assures her they鈥檙e not but later, after speaking to Louise, Bex deduces he lied. Shakil insists he鈥檚 happy to wait if Bex wants to. Later, Shakil sends Bex a text message - 鈥榳e can do other stuff, not just sex?鈥�. Bex is intrigued, then alarmed when he sends another message - 鈥榮end photos and stuff, just you and me?鈥�.

While Stacey looks after Louie on Lauren鈥檚 first day at her new internship, she calls round to see Jane for lunch. Talk turns to Christmas plans and Jane agrees to teach Stacey to make Christmas cake. Jane becomes uncomfortable when Stacey jokes she has leftover sexy underwear from Elysium if Jane wants some for Christmas. Jane admits she thinks Ian doesn鈥檛 see her that way anymore and has barely touched her since her incident. Stacey empathises, explaining she used to think Martin pitied her when she was ill. Jane gets upset - she wants Ian to want her.

Stacey later approaches Mick, hinting that perhaps Ian could do with a friend to talk to鈥� Later, Jane requests Stacey to keep what she said just between them while, in the Vic, Mick clumsily asks Ian how things are with Jane. Ian doesn鈥檛 think sex has entered Jane鈥檚 head and feels she doesn鈥檛 need him bothering her.

5 months left to watch

30 minutes

Audio described

Credits

Role Contributor
Sharon Mitchell Letitia Dean
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Louise Mitchell Tilly Keeper
Ben Mitchell Harry Reid
Jay Brown Jamie Borthwick
Roxy Mitchell Rita Simons
Ronnie Mitchell Samantha Womack
Jack Branning Scott Maslen
Lauren Branning Jacqueline Jossa
Abi Branning Lorna Fitzgerald
Patrick Trueman Rudolph Walker
Kathy Sullivan Gillian Taylforth
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Jane Beale Laurie Brett
Stacey Fowler Lacey Turner
Bex Fowler Jasmine Armfield
Shakil Kazemi Shaheen Jafargholi
Donna Yates Lisa Hammond
Babe Smith Annette Badland
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Lee Carter Danny-Boy Hatchard
Whitney Carter Shona McGarty
Ricky Mitchell Henri Charles
Dennis Rickman Bleu Landau
Amy Mitchell Abbie Knowles
Bella Okafor Doreene Blackstock
Derek Harkinson Ian Lavender
Dermot Haynes Geoffrey Newland
Christine Allinson Suzann McLean
Geraldine Clough Gwyneth Strong
Keith Howard Daniel Attwell
Liz Herdsman Annette Flynn
Executive Producer Sean O'Connor
Director Penelope Shales-Slyne
Writer Pete Lawson

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