Upsetting scenes ahead for Phil (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) attempts to take his own life in EastEnders next week.
The Walford stalwart’s mental health is currently spiralling, in a heartbreaking story that will see him suffer suicidal thoughts amid his loneliness.
From divorcing wife Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) to his son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) being imprisoned in the US, and more recently, his ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) beginning a relationship with his cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), he hasn’t had it easy.
Feeling isolated from his family, he sold Peggy’s bar to Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), whilst gifting his half of The Boxing Den to old pal Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley).
Recent scenes have shown him lack interest in Ben’s wellbeing, when Callum Highway (Tony Clay) returned from visiting him in the States with some news.
He then failed to turn up at his birthday bash, telling Nice that he’d rather have a quiet night in.
Despite Sharon and rest of the extended clan staging interventions, nobody has been successful.
At the end of last week, Nigel explained his worst fears to her, and it became clear that they had to act quick to save him.
In upcoming scenes, he hears that cousin Billy (Perry Fenwick) has landed himself in financial difficulty ahead os his upcoming wedding, and secretly arranges to solve his monetary woes.
Nigel is urged by Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) to tell Phil about his dementia diagnosis, but he’s concerned that the knowledge will only make his mate’s condition worse.
After declining to join Nige in the pub, Phil rushes off. Instead of chasing after him, he decides to have dinner with his new friend Norma instead.
Sadly, at The Arches, Phil makes a decision that puts him in serious danger.
In heartbreaking scenes, he will make a suicide attempt.
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Speaking of the story, soap boss Chris Clenshaw said: ‘Phil’s depression storyline will focus on his decline in mental health and the subsequent psychotic symptoms, and the reaction of those around him, as we hope to demonstrate how mental health can affect anyone at any time.
‘Steve’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary and has thoughtfully portrayed the complex realties of depression, and the experience of psychotic symptoms, with compassion and understanding.’
The next day, when Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) arrives for work, he’s taken aback to find his boss in such a horrific state and is forced to call emergency services.
As Nigel heads to check in on Phil, he’s devastated to see him being carted off in the back of an ambulance.
Will Phil be ok? Unfortunately, we know that his condition is only going to get worse.
Recent pictures obtained by Metro show Steve McFadden filming in a cemetery with Isabella Brown, who plays granddaughter Lexi Pearce and Perry Fenwick, better known as Phil’s cousin Billy Mitchell.
Also in attendance are Paul Bradley, and Linda Carter actress Kellie Bright.
Phil can be seen full of emotion as he’s stood over mum Peggy’s grave. He takes a hug from Lexi as they lay flowers on her headstone, which is next to East End icon Pat Butcher’s.
We also know that Peggy will be making a return in hallucinations suffered by Phil as his depression deepens. Suffering psychosis, we’ll see an event from 1985 through his eyes.
Jaime Winstone will be reprising her role as a young Peggy.
A number of other cast of the Mitchell flashback episode, which aired to acclaim in 2022, will reappear – Teddy Jay will return as Grant, George Russo as Eric and Daniel Delaney as Phil.
Actor Sam Miles will take on the role of a younger Nigel.
