There was chaos on Albert Square in tonight’s EastEnders when David Peckham made an ambitious escape from his coop.
They’ve been in Walford for less than a week and already David and his chicken friends have caused quite a stir among the neighbours.
In tonight’s episode, David got a taste for freedom when Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) left the coop unlocked after cleaning it, and the cockerel wandered off for a look around the Square.
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) was completely aghast when he realised David had gone and instantly warned Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) that her beloved pet better not be in the house.
They quickly established that David the rooster and taken his opportunity to do a runner, and Julie and Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) wasted no time in embarking on a rescue mission.
Though Phil was certain it was a lost cause, Nigel pointed out that they should at least try, as it would break Julie’s heart if something were to happen to David Peckham.
After several hours, they still hadn’t found him, and Phil was growing impatient. Nigel gave him permission to go home if he didn’t want to carry on the search, but asserted that he wasn’t going to give up.
When things were looking completely hopeless, and Julie suggested accepting that David was gone, Nigel admitted how useless he felt, pointing out that now he couldn’t be trusted to clean out the coop, there wasn’t much more he could to help around the house.
Julie was quick to soothe him, assigning him the job of picking what films they would watch in the evening, and he seemed somewhat mollified.
Just then, a miracle occurred, as Lexi spotted David wandering towards Harry’s Barn, where Yolande Trueman’s (Angela Wynter) hen party was in full swing.
David Peckham clearly thought he’d fit right in among the hens, though his sudden appearance in the underground bar caused chaos among the punters.
As Julie and Nigel attempted to round him up, owner Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) was furious at the intrusion.
Back at home, with David safely back in his coop, Julie busied herself playing with Lexi, while Nigel had a private word with Phil.
Nigel values both Julie and Phil’s support
However, Nigel opened up to Phil this evening about how well Julie had handled the fact that he had left the coop unlocked, explaining that she hadn’t been angry at all.
While he expressed his appreciation for Phil’s support, he explained that he needed Julie around as well, as she was good for him.
Will Phil realise that his bickering with Julie needs to stop, for Nigel’s sake?
