Cast of BBC One soap EastEnders have been sharing the love for Steve McFadden following a powerful episode this week.
Yesterday, Steve’s character Phil Mitchell began hallucinating characters from his past. Over the past few months, Phil has been experiencing loneliness and depression, with his symptoms of psychosis leading to him seeing old Mitchells such as his mum Peggy (Jaime Winstone) and dad Eric (George Russo).
Throughout the episode, his younger self (played by Daniel Delaney) and family members turned on him, leaving him increasingly more vulnerable.
In an emotional chat with the younger version of his mum, Phil was devastated when she compared him to his father, and revealed how disappointed she was in him.
When he asked if she really meant that, she pointed out that that was how he thought she felt, and she wasn’t around to correct him.
She then told him that there was still a way for him to make the world a better place, before looking pointedly at the gun on the table.
Earlier in the episode, Phil’s dad Eric had almost used the gun on himself, but didn’t go through with his plan.
Instead, he wrote Phil’s name on a bullet, so that he had ‘something to remember him by’.
Phil loaded the bullet into the gun, planning to use it on himself, only to be interrupted by the arrival of a young Grant (Teddy Jay) and Nigel Bates (Sam Miles).
Following this instalment, many cast members of the BBC One soap took to social media to praise their beloved co-star Phil.
Among the people sharing kind messages was Diane Parish, who plays Denise Fox. She said on Instagram: ‘STEVE MCFADDEN. I am so proud to say that I work with one of the finest actors in the UK in @bbceastenders. This performance was hands down one of the most magnificent tour de forces I have seen on British television.
‘I am completely blown away and mesmerised by what our friend Steve gifted us with tonight. And if y’all don’t give this man his damn flowers this year. I’m coming for ya!’.
Natalie Cassidy, who will soon leave her role as Sonia Fowler, simply announced: ‘I’ve only got one thing to say tonight…if Steve McFadden doesn’t win a BAFTA, then I’m out!’.
At the end of the episode last night, the present day version of Nigel Bates – played by Paul Bradley – managed to wake Phil from the dream state he had fallen into.
He said that he was worried about Phil, and had brought a loved one round to try and help him.
Standing in the doorway was Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), back in Albert Square ready for the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations next week.
But can he get through to his brother?
