Legendary EastEnders character will battle illness and suicidal thoughts in gritty Christmas plot
EASTENDERS is gearing up for another of its cheery Christmas storylines — with Phil Mitchell battling depression and illness.
The notorious Albert Square hardman, played by Steve McFadden, 65, will see his life fall apart after being abandoned by his family.
Son Ben is in a US jail, daughter Louise lives in Portugal and former wife Kat Slater is with Alfie Moon.
Viewers will see their own festive mood deteriorate as Phil starts to have suicidal thoughts.
It is the latest in a long line of bleak festive plots in Walford.
On Christmas Day 1986, 30million tuned in to watch Arthur Fowler have a nervous breakdown and smash up his living room.
In 2006, his wife Pauline collapsed and died from a brain haemorrhage, alone in the snow.
Three years later, Archie Mitchell was fatally bashed in the head with the Queen Vic bust, sparking a huge whodunnit plot.
In 2017, Archie’s daughters Ronnie and Roxy drowned in one of the darkest episodes.
Phil, who has battled drink and crack cocaine addictions and been shot twice, will be seen in despair again as the soap prepares for its 40th anniversary.
And speculation’s rife that brother Grant, played by Ross Kemp, will return.
A source said: “Could Grant be the one to save him? It’d be a ratings hit.”
An EastEnders spokeswoman declined to comment.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123