LOLA Pearce’s death has taken a toll on her widower Jay Brown and he has spiralled out of control.
But things take another mortifying turn next week as the EastEnders fan favourite ends up in hospital after a shock accident.
The mechanic played by Jamie Borthwick turned to newcomer Nadine, attracted by her striking resemblance to the late Lola.
Unfortunately, in his grief-stricken state, Jay decided drugs were the only way he could cope with the pain of being without his wife.
Next week on BBC One, Jay’s state of mind fails to improve and things get worse for him after a horror accident.
Coming up, Jay wakes after a night filled with booze and drugs and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) soon senses something is wrong.
He heads to Jay who confesses to taking drugs to but he keeps quiet about Nadine.
Billy is heartbroken by Jay’s turmoil and attempts to rally the family together for a meet in The Vic, but things don’t go according to plan when Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) reveals all about Nadine, completely unaware that Lexi (Isabella Brown) is listening.
Lexi reels and abruptly leaves as the family follow her and shun Jay.
In later scenes, Jay desperately tries to make amends but Ben and Callum Highway (Tony Clay) shut him out, wanting to protect Lexi.
Jay gets a dealer’s number off Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) and picks up more drugs before Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) finds him at the car lot to confiscate them and offers him a bed for the night at The Vic.
Gina convinces Jay to head to No.29B where they put a plan into action to speak to Lexi.
Ben and Billy are reluctant, but once inside, Jay finally has an honest conversation with Lexi – how will she react?
While this remains to be seen, another character grows cautious around Jay.
George is concerned when he finds a groggy Jay waking up at The Vic and fears he’s having a negative influence on Gina, who has had her share of issues with drugs.
Jay drinks himself into oblivion before George kicks him out after finding drugs in his belongings and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) bars him.
The mechanic later bumps into Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) and the pair almost fight, unaware that Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is watching,
Later on, Jay is overcome with emotion whilst looking at Lola’s things before Ben and Gina find him unconscious on the sofa having taken more drugs.
Billy is disgusted at Jay and a huge row erupts between the pair.
Jay is then ordered out of their lives for good and, heartbroken, he decides to drive to Margate against Gina’s wishes.
Later, the police arrive at The Vic looking for Jay’s next-of-kin as its revealed Jay has been in an accident.
Will he survive?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
