EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell could be set for a heartbreaking exit, fans have claimed.
The character, played by Steve McFadden, is a staple on the BBC soap - making his debut back in 1990. And since then, he's been a part of some of the show's most iconic storylines.
Phil is known for being the son of Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), and the brother of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook).
READ MORE: EastEnders set for 'soap first' with new sex storyline - but fans say 'it's going too far'
READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star TV stories
The character is also famous for having a string of romances with various residents of Albert Square, situated in the fictional East London borough, Walford.
Over in Walford recently, Phil has had a dramatic few months. Last year, he found out he was the secret father to Sharon Watts’ (Letitia Dean) child Albie, and his other son Ben (Max Bowden) was sent to prison in the US.
The arrival of estranged Mitchell Stevie (Alan Ford) earlier this year also ruffled Phil’s feathers. Adamant that Billy’s (Perry Fenwick) dad Stevie was “scum” Phil even planted some stolen cash on Stevie to try and frame him.
And during Wednesday’s episode (July 10) Stevie came clean about a family bombshell - that Billy’s mum didn’t leave Billy like he had told him, instead she killed herself after Stevie had an affair with Teddy’s mum.
Billy, already devastated, then found out that Phil had framed Stevie. Fuming, he headed round to Phil’s and accused him of trying to wreck the potential relationships with the new members of his family.
Billy told Phil: “I’m not the runt of the litter anymore,” before proclaiming: “You are” and storming out, leaving Phil all alone.
Now, fans are fearing a heartbreaking storyline is in store for Phil - which could potentially lead to his exit. On X, viewers claimed he could relapse, with one writing: “I wonder if Phil's loneliness storyline might lead to him having a relapse at some point.”
Someone else added: “Feel like this leading to an exit storyline where Phil is going to go back on the bottle and drink himself to death with no one round him hope that’s not the case because Phil is Eastenders to me but be great for Steve to enjoy retirement.”
A third wrote: “I think we’ve been in the midst of a Phil loneliness story for a while without realising. He’s felt like the hanger on to Billy’s unit since he & Kat split, he’s lost Ben, alienated Jay & Cal, Sharon is wary & even Denise feels sorry for him! Next step? A relapse!”
Another penned: “I think we’re going to get some kind of depression storyline coming for Phil especially this week. I’ve seen that he’s going to slowly starting to push everyone away and he’s going to start isolating himself from everyone.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
