As Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) struggles with loneliness in EastEnders, many fans can’t help but wonder if a certain Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) will return this festive season to save him.
Phil has lost many loved ones over the years, but it’s only been in recent weeks that he’s really started to feel the weight of saying goodbye to so many Mitchells.
After Ben’s (Max Bowden) arrest, the family got a mammoth shock when three new members arrived – Billy’s (Perry Fenwick) brother Teddy (Roland Manookian) and his sons Harry (Elijah Holloway) and Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman).
As they’ve spent time getting settled into Albert Square, it became clear Phil wasn’t warming to them. Even after he worked out Stevie (Alan Ford) was hiding something else from Billy, Phil couldn’t bring himself to get to know the new Mitchells.
At home alone, a tearful Phil sat down and looked at his family photographs hung up on the wall. With Ben behind bars, Louise (Tilly Keeper) living elsewhere and Sharon (Letitia Dean) and Denise (Diane Parish) ultimately deciding when Albie and Raymond can see their dad, Phil Mitchell doesn’t actually have many loved ones around him right now.
Following these emotional scenes, which aired last month, fans took to X and forum platform Reddit to share their thoughts on Phil’s new storyline.
Fearing for the beloved character, many audience members are now wondering if Phil will spiral over the next few months, prompting a return for brother Grant to come and save him.
‘I actually shredded a tear 😢😂 oh phil. He needs to understand why everyone leaves him at the end. Steve never leave the show, now it’s a time to being back grant please’, one user on X said.
Rock bottom. Watch the whole episode now 👉 https://t.co/zjXLBwsKDu #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/6D4eJIQ6Ms
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) July 11, 2024
Prelude to Phil getting back
— Mrs HC (@HaywardCox) July 11, 2024
On the drink and Grant having to come back and sort him out? #EastEnders #40thAnniversary
I’m really enjoying Phil’s loneliness storyline as it’s so common for older people, who’s family have gradually moved on, to feel alone. I think Phil has been written the best in years under Clenshaw and all the gangster plots have dialled down since Keeble. 1/4 #EastEnders
— toby☕️ (@eastendersmulti) July 11, 2024
Phil is alienating himself from his family 😔 #EastEnders
— ♥Kezza_Lou♥ (@KerryLouiseRoss) July 11, 2024
Grant come save your brother from his self destruction 😢
Over on Reddit, the thoughts were echoed by this fan, who wrote: ‘And I think with the whole Phil being lonely storyline, I think by Christmas he will completely lose it and will be similar to Max in 2017
‘The entire square hating him and Phil just fighting everyone and completely losing it. Not to mention, I think it’s guaranteed Grant will return now as it’s been hinted many times recently and it’s what could save him.’
Ross Kemp, 59, may have found fame as EastEnders’ hard man Grant Mitchell but his career has been a lot more varied than simply throwing people out of pubs in Albert Square.
Having last been seen in Walford in 2016, during the storyline that saw Peggy Mitchell tragically die, viewers are certainly ready for a Grant Mitchell return.
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw revealed last year that he would love to bring back Grant, for ‘more brotherly drama with Phil’, but would Ross be up for a return?
Prior to Chris’ comments, Ross gave the classic answer of ‘never say never’ when asked the question on The One Show.
‘I loved the part, I did it for 10 years,’ he said.
‘I must have liked it because I stayed there for 10 years. But, you know, look, it was great fun, I loved the cast, it was a great job. [I’m] doing lots of different things right now, but never say never!’
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