Phil on absolute edge in EastEnders as his whole life falls apart

Phil has never been so broken (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Next week could prove to be the one that finally breaks EastEnders’ toughest character, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

He’s managed to defeat every obstacle he’s ever come up against, with a combination of animal cunning, a mean right hook and the help of his iconic yet utterly corrupt lawyer, Ritchie Scott (Sian Weber)

An enemy Phil is unable to defeat, though, is dementia, and no punch, criminal scheme or loophole in the law is going to help him.

There’s no winning here, just time and the inevitable, as Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) enters his final days. After sharing a heart-breaking goodbye with his best friend, Phil has been unable to visit Nigel in the care home.

With sister Sam (Kim Medcalf) deeply concerned for Phil’s mental health and with Nigel deteriorating fast due to his pneumonia, a conversation with Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) convinces him that the time is right to reach out to the third Mitchell sibling, Grant (Ross Kemp), in a bid to allow him the opportunity to say goodbye to his dear friend and reunite the Mitchell trio.

Why does Grant return? ‘I think Grant is desperate to see his son. They’ve never had a relationship, and he may see this as the first step towards potentially building one,’ Ross said.

Grant is shaken by how unwell Nigel is (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

‘He’s also shocked to hear from him in general and probably feels that, if Mark has reached out after all this time, then whatever is happening must be significant enough, and important enough, for him to come back to Walford immediately.’

Grant’s return, though, doesn’t go too smoothly: ‘Grant was expecting to arrive back in Albert Square as a returning hero, but instead he’s met with quite the complete opposite reaction and is given quite a cold reception,’ Ross said.

Armed with the knowledge that his nearest and dearest are deeply worried about Phil, Grant heads off to see Nigel and is heart broken to see just how unwell he’s become.

‘Initially, Grant is very angry with Phil because he believes Phil has been selfish and has abandoned Nigel by placing him in a care home,’ Ross said.

Utterly enraged by Phil’s lack of communication, the Mitchell reunion quickly goes to hell, as Phil first boots out Sam and Mark, before he and Grant get down to the nitty gritty.

Phil is consumed with grief (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

The following day, Phil is trapped deeply in his emotions, convinced that neither Nigel, nor Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) need him around.

With Nigel rapidly deteriorating, Julie decides the kindest thing is to withdraw treatment, and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) urges Phil to go and see his best friend, but he’s thrown out as Phil’s grief spills over.

When he tries again later, with Mark by his side, they’re panicked to realise Phil is missing.

Luckily, Grant knows exactly where his brother will be, and despite Julie’s pleas to be at Nigel’s side as he enters his final hours, Grant dedicates to reuniting Phil and Nigel.

Grant’s intervention works and, after the typical Mitchell shouting and posturing, he manages to get through to Phil and convince him that Nigel needs him, now more than ever.

Grant tries his hardest to talk some sense into his brother… (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) …and Phil makes it back in time to say goodbye to Nigel (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

As they race against time that’s quickly running out, they make it to the care home and Phil is able to say an emotional goodbye to Nigel, who holds on until his best friend finally arrives before peacefully slipping away.

In the aftermath, though, Phil is raw. Returning home to find the residents of Albert Square planning a celebration of Nigel’s life, Julie basks in the kindness of their friends, but Phil’s pain is unyielding, leaving Grant and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) terrified that history is about to repeat itself.

What does Ross think the audience will take from the story? ‘What makes it so special and impactful is the performances, particularly by Paul, Karen, and Steve, and that the story has played out in real time.

‘Paul did an amazing job showing the many different layers of how dementia affects a human being, and how it impacts the people around them, and I think that will really resonate with many people.’

Will the sheer amount of grief he’s endured cause a mental health relapse for Phil? And who can bring him out of it if it does?

Comments Add as preferred source