Emotional times lie ahead for Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) and George Knight (Colin Salmon) in EastEnders, with a premature birth story confirmed by the BBC One soap.

Upcoming scenes will see Nicola, who confirmed last year that she’s pregnant with George’s baby, give birth prematurely.

The owner of Harry’s Barn will be rushed into surgery in the coming weeks, undergoing an emergency caesarean due to complications with the birth, which results in an earlier than expected arrival for her baby girl.

Working together, Nicola and George must confront the realities of co-parenting a premature baby, both in neonatal care and once they take their daughter home.

As is always the case, EastEnders has sought advice on the storyline.

In this instance, the advice comes from Bliss, the UK’s leading charity representing babies birth premature of sick, to ensure the storyline is portrayed as accurately and sensitively as possible.

Nicola and George had a brief dalliance earlier this year

Discussing the story, EastEnders boss Ben Wadey said: ”This storyline follows Nicola and George as they navigate the challenges and shared concerns of neonatal care with their premature baby, and the impact it has on them and their families.’

Annelies Hopkins, Information and Support Manager at Bliss added: ‘As the UK’s leading charity representing babies born premature or sick, and their families, we were grateful to be consulted on this important EastEnders storyline, which shines a light on the unexpected, distressing and often traumatic experience of having a baby in neonatal care.’

Sparks flew for the George and Nicola last year after both of their respective marriages came to sudden ends.