EastEnders guest star Keith Allen reveals he was asked to join BBC soap years ago – with show legend begging him
ACTOR Keith Allen has revealed that he was asked to join EastEnders years ago as the on-screen father of a legendary cast member.
EastEnders fans will know Phil – played by Steve McFadden – has seen his mental health spiral in recent months, culminating in him attempting to take his own life during the show’s 40th anniversary week.
Thankfully, he was unsuccessful, and has been in a mental health facility ever since as he receives much needed help and support.
Last night, the BBC soap took us back in time to his first day under medical care, with Phil wrecking his room as his care worker called Yasmin (Natasha Patel) stepped in to try and help him.
Phil called the other patients “fruit and nut jobs“, and asked the doctor to give him “the strong stuff” with regards to his medication.
But, he felt ashamed of himself and refused to see any of his friends.
However, as the days went on, Phil struck up a friendship with Gaz (Keith Allen) and even confided his love for ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
Phil also discussed his late father Eric (George Russo), who had branded him useless and had told him to man up in the past.
But when Gaz revealed he would be leaving the unit and was going back to a mouldy flat alone, things took an upsetting turn.
Phil had brought Gaz a can of beer, but he didn’t know Gaz would try to hurt himself with it.
Luckily, Gaz’s intentions dawned on Phil and and he saved the man’s life but he was angry at Yasmin for not checking up on his new friend.
And at a group session weeks later, his experience as a mechanic became a figure of speech for his mental health.
He was asked: “If you were carrying a car part – something way too heavy for you? What would you do?”.
“I’d put it down,” said Phil.
Later, an angry Gaz argued with Phil, but Yasmin helped Phil see that he was ready to be discharged.
As Phil put it, “I’ve got a few more tools in my garage!”
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
In the present, Yasmin told Billy (Perry Fenwick), Lexi (Isabella Brown), Nigel (Paul Bradley) and Linda (Kellie Bright) where she thought Phil might be, and he was seen at Eric’s graveside.
Telling his father that he wouldn’t be carrying that toxic attitude any more, Phil added that he didn’t want to end up all alone like him.
Reunited with Lexi and co, Phil told Nigel that they both would help each other in a powerful conclusion to the highly emotional storyline.
Keith spoke about his role of Gaz on the One Show and revealed during the interview that he had previously been asked to play the on-screen father of Danny Dyer, 47, on EastEnders.
Danny played fan favourite Mick Carter on the soap opera from 2013 until his departure in 2022.
During his appearance, Keith was asked what enticed him to take on the new role of Gaz.
He teased: “20 grand. I’m joking. That is obviously not true. It was on my bucket list anyway.”
“Listen, I’ve been asked to be in EastEnders years ago – I think they wanted me to play Danny Dyer‘s dad.
“And I was constantly getting calls from Danny [saying] ‘Keith please please come … please please come and be my dad’. But I didn’t because I couldn’t commit to you know a contract.”
Keith continued: “But when this came up it was a bucket list thing to do one episode.
“It’s just perfect and you can say that you have been in EastEnders, but the caveat to that is the actual enormity in terms of importance of this episode.”
He added: “I mean, it’s an honour, to be honest, to be asked to be involved with it.
“And I think it’s an incredible subject matter to be touched upon.
“But also you’re talking about a fella’s 40 year careers of this character that he has religiously and assiduously stayed with and then his life is going to change and to be instrumental in that storyline is just … can’t believe it.”
Keith went on to describe co-star Steve as a “great actor” and shared that his character Gaz was a “lifeline” for Phil whilst on the mental health unit together.
The interview concluded with him encouraging men to talk about issues. He said: “That’s what this episode does, it graphically illustrates that to talk is good.
“To know that you can talk is good. It’s the beginning of a good journey.”
EastEnders airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.