149 Facts About Phil Mitchell

Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.

Phil Mitchell was introduced to the soap opera on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy.

Phil and his brother Grant became popularly known as the Mitchell brothers in the British media, with Phil initially portrayed as the more level-headed of the two thugs.

Storylines featuring the Mitchell family dominated the soap opera throughout the 1990s, with Phil serving as one of the show's central characters and protagonist villains since the 1990s.

The events saw Phil Mitchell shot in a whodunit mystery, with the assailant eventually revealed to be his former girlfriend and Louise's mother Lisa Shaw.

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Phil Mitchell first arrives in Walford in February 1990 to open an automobile repair shop, known as The Arches; he is joined by his younger brother Grant.

Two years later, Phil Mitchell goes into partnership at The Queen Victoria public house with Grant and his wife Sharon Watts – up to the point where he moves in with them.

Phil Mitchell grows close to Sharon, who turns to him for comfort during Grant's violent outbursts.

Phil Mitchell begins a relationship with a divorced Kathy Beale, but Nadia returns, needing Phil Mitchell to prove he is her husband to prevent deportation.

Phil Mitchell begins sleeping rough, gambling, and blaming Kathy for his decline.

Phil Mitchell is undecided until Lorna stops him going after Kathy by locking herself in his bathroom and attempts suicide.

Phil Mitchell later follows Kathy to the airport but is stopped by Kathy's son, Ian Beale, who persuades him that Kathy and Ben are better off without him.

Phil Mitchell starts seeing Lisa Shaw, but the relationship stalls when Kathy returns briefly in 1999 and sleeps with Grant.

Phil Mitchell is rescued, but Grant isn't found and is presumed dead.

Phil Mitchell is unsupportive when his girlfriend, Lisa, has a miscarriage and he starts domestically abusing her by getting her sacked from her job and insists she stays at home.

Lisa is paranoid that Phil Mitchell is having an affair and accuses Mel of being his other woman, which she is not, at that point.

Lisa decides that a baby will improve their relationship so stops taking contraceptive pills but Phil Mitchell wants Lisa to leave him, not get pregnant, so he admits to Lisa that he and Mel slept together.

Steve is the prime suspect and is arrested, but Phil Mitchell – knowing Steve is innocent – confronts the real culprit, Lisa, weeks later after he is discharged from hospital.

Phil Mitchell's plan come to fruition when Phil contacts Dan's former crime boss, Ritchie Stringer, and together to pair conspire to incriminate Dan for the shooting; with Ritchie giving Dan the same gun that Lisa used to shoot Phil.

Dan then escapes with the money, never to be seen in Walford again, while Phil Mitchell recovers and returns to the square upon helping Steve rescue Mel.

Phil Mitchell soon wants children with Sharon, but she reveals that she is infertile due to a botched abortion; Sharon later admits that the baby she aborted six years earlier was that of Grant.

Phil Mitchell agrees but changes her mind and telephones Steve, asking him to return Louise.

Phil Mitchell refuses to, so Phil attempts to get Louise back, resulting in a car chase that ends when Steve crashes his car into a wall.

Phil Mitchell persuades Lisa to return to him and then makes it clear that it is Louise he and Peggy want, not Lisa.

Lisa agrees until some of Phil Mitchell's relatives, assuming she is the nanny, start talking about how unstable Louise's mother is.

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However, Phil Mitchell soon takes his frustrations out of Jamie, who then dies after being struck by a car driven by Martin Fowler – leaving Phil Mitchell devastated.

Phil Mitchell soon falls for Kate Morton, unaware that she is an undercover police officer investigating Lisa's disappearance.

Kate disappears, but several months later, Phil Mitchell finds her working as the secretary for the Walford's veteran reigning gangland kingpin - Jack Dalton.

Phil Mitchell soon begins to visit Dalton, most notably when Phil finds out that Dalton discovers Kate's identity.

Later on, Phil Mitchell learns that Dennis has previously been involved in Dalton's criminal organization – The Firm.

At first, Phil Mitchell is willing to go along with it and goes to confront Dennis at Sharon's nightclub, "Angie's Den", where he holds him at gunpoint.

Phil Mitchell prepares to kill Dennis, but changes his mind when Dennis offers to kill Dalton himself – so that they can both be free of him; Phil Mitchell reluctantly gives Dennis the gun to go after Dalton, and is later surprised to learn that Dennis actually killed Dalton as he promised.

However, on their wedding day, Phil Mitchell is unhappy when Lisa reappears – demanding access to Louise.

When Phil Mitchell refuses to do so, Lisa plans to shoot him again until she backs down.

Unable to stop her legally, Kate agrees; however, Phil Mitchell discovers this and his marriage with Kate ends after he refuses to forgive her for costing him Louise.

Phil Mitchell then flees Walford and is not seen for over a year afterwards.

When Phil Mitchell discovers that Johnny threatened Sharon with Dennis' life, he attempts to intimidate Dennis in attacking Johnny in retribution; Dennis refuses, but relents when Phil Mitchell tells him that Johnny killed Andy and throttled Sharon.

Phil Mitchell later convinces Grant to help him confront Johnny at his new home in rural Essex, but he escapes and the brothers peruse home.

However, Phil Mitchell's squabbling with Grant allows Johnny to capture them and Johnny orders Jake's brother Danny to kill the brothers.

Phil Mitchell starts dating Stella Crawford, but she mentally and physically abuses Ben – forcing him into persuading Phil Mitchell to propose to her.

In doing so, the two share a conversation about how they were respectively abused by their fathers – with Phil Mitchell confining to Archie about to extent of how Eric treated him, before Archie explains that both he and Eric were mistreated by their father prior to his death; which Archie claims to be the "best thing that happened to him".

When Peggy learns the extent of Archie's deceit, she ends their marriage by ordering Phil Mitchell to throw him out of the pub – shortly before the family learn that Danielle has died after being fatally struck by a car driven by Frank's daughter Janine.

When Peggy finds out about this, she locks him inside her home so he cannot have access to drugs; however, Phil Mitchell – suffering from withdrawal symptoms – escapes and confronts Peggy, setting the pub on fire as a result.

Phil Mitchell is rescued and Peggy leaves the next day, realising he is better off without her.

When Phil Mitchell discovers Glenda is having an affair with his enemy Ian, he threatens to tell Ian's wife Jane Beale, unless he pays him £5,000.

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Phil Mitchell reacts badly when he discovers Ben is gay, and makes it clear that he prefers Billy's foster son, Jay Brown.

Denise's attempts to get Phil Mitchell imprisoned fail; however, Marsden soon investigates the allegations and Ben tells her that Phil Mitchell forced Stella to jump from the roof back in 2007.

Phil Mitchell helps her to rescue Dennis and they return with Phil Mitchell to Walford.

When Phil Mitchell gets home, he finds that Shirley knows the truth about Heather's death.

Lola agrees for Phil Mitchell to have residence of Lexi and he suggests to Sharon that they pretend to be in a relationship to increase the chances of success, even though she is in a relationship with Jack Branning.

At the court hearing to determine Lexi's future, Phil Mitchell exposes Lola's lateness and temper during her scheduled meetings with Lexi, sabotaging her chances of winning Lexi back.

Phil Mitchell later tells Billy that Lola will never get Lexi back, which Lola overhears.

Phil Mitchell tells Social Services it is his fault for being too relaxed with Lola, but then allows Lola to look after Lexi while he goes out.

Phil Mitchell is airlifted to hospital and requires an operation.

Once recovered, Phil Mitchell learns that Carl is framing their business partner Max Branning for causing the car crash – as well as using Ian as a false witness.

Phil Mitchell prepares to kill Carl, but Carl implies that he caused harm to Shirley.

Phil Mitchell takes Phil to a block of run-down flats where Shirley is staying with her sister Tina Carter.

Phil Mitchell agrees and they return together, after which Phil confronts Carl once Shirley returns to her home.

At the start of 2014, Phil learns that Carl has entrapped Ronnie into having a relationship with him – though she quickly ends it upon discovering his actions against the Mitchells.

When Phil Mitchell learns that Jake and Danny's cousin Alfie Moon has upset Roxy no sooner after she started working for him and the pair later got married, he retaliates by selling the pub to get one over Alfie.

However, Phil Mitchell is surprised when the pub's new owner turns out to be Shirley's brother Mick Carter.

Phil Mitchell then learns from Ben that Lola has ended their relationship and has begun dating Ian's son Peter Beale.

When Phil Mitchell confronts her about this, she tells Phil Mitchell that he cannot see Lexi if he objects.

When Ian's daughter Lucy dies, Phil Mitchell begins supporting his former enemy and helps him get back on his feet.

Phil Mitchell starts to track down by Ben, but is convinced by Jay and Sharon that Ben will return when he is ready.

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Phil Mitchell is stunned when he realizes that Mick is in fact Shirley's son, who she had at fourteen, subsequently raised by Shirley's parents as their son, without Mick ever discovering the truth.

Phil Mitchell then agrees to be her confidant for the secret in exchange for money, which Shirley steals from her younger son Dean Wicks at his salon; he later discovers this and confronts his mother about her involvement with Phil Mitchell, who later warns Dean off when they cross paths.

Phil Mitchell soon gets into a disagreement with Sharon when she continually puts her work at The Albert before their relationship, only beginning to become more involved with the bar when she is unimpressed at his lack of interest in her work.

Phil Mitchell is later hospitalized with a ruptured spleen, leaving Phil distraught – though he later admits to Shirley that he arranged for the men to scare Sharon at the bar, but believed the bodyguards that he hired for her would have protected her and did not realize that she would be hurt.

When Shirley confesses she still loves Phil Mitchell, he spurns her advances and instead proposes marriage to Sharon after she regains consciousness.

Phil Mitchell is then rushed to hospital, Shirley fleeing with the help of her aunt, Babe Smith.

When Phil Mitchell finds out that Ronnie has stolen money from him to bribe their enemy Nick Cotton to leave before her wedding, they argue.

Later, while Phil Mitchell confronts Nick in his house, Ronnie goes into labour and on the way to the hospital, the wedding car crashes.

Whilst still at the hospital, Phil Mitchell is arrested for attempted murder and – realising that Nick has framed him – asks Sharon to help him prove his innocence.

When Phil Mitchell learns that Max has taken over The Arches, he promises revenge and blames Sharon for the loss of the business.

Phil Mitchell is released on bail and vanishes, to Sharon's concern; he returns a week later, with Peggy, to get a passport.

Phil Mitchell comes close to telling Ian something, but is interrupted by Ben, who is shocked to see he is back.

Phil Mitchell wants to return to Walford, but Phil tells her to stay away – for Ian and Ben's sakes.

Phil Mitchell finds out that Sharon has been helping Jane cover up the real killer Bobby Beale, Lucy's half-brother, Phil Mitchell tells Jane and Sharon that he will bribe the foreman of the jury to make sure Max is not guilty.

Phil Mitchell then asks Ben for alcohol, revealing he has been drinking during his kidnapping.

In exchange for Sharon not telling the police about Bobby killing Lucy, Phil Mitchell agrees with Ian that Ian will take the blame for causing the crash.

Phil Mitchell confesses the truth to Shirley, who encourages him to tell Sharon.

Phil Mitchell begs her to stay, admitting he is dying from cirrhosis.

Phil Mitchell gets the name of Louise's school before Peggy tells him that her cancer has returned and she is dying.

Phil Mitchell finds Louise at her school and he gives her money to support her future.

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The doctor tells his family that he needs an urgent liver transplant and that if Phil Mitchell continues to drink, he will be dead within 12 months.

Ronnie vows to help Phil Mitchell regain his sobriety and allows him to move in with her and Honey once he is discharged from hospital, but the drinking continues.

Phil Mitchell finally gives up after Sharon colludes with Ritchie to take the family businesses from Phil Mitchell.

Phil Mitchell is stunned when a badly injured Louise is found in the wreckage, and with her pleas he decides to finally give up the booze.

Phil Mitchell is devastated by her death, unable to make a eulogy for her funeral, especially when he reads the loving letter she left him.

Phil Mitchell finds out that Peggy betrayed his father to the police to protect Phil and visits her grave.

Some time after, Phil Mitchell tries to give Ian advice after Bobby violently assaults Jane, putting her in hospital.

Phil Mitchell is told by Ian that Ben has died after a homophobic attack following a night out, however this turns out to be Paul, Ben's boyfriend.

When Grant returns to Walford again, he accuses Phil Mitchell of killing Peggy and still orders him to return all of the money Phil Mitchell owes to him.

Unbeknownst to Phil Mitchell, Denise discovers she is five months pregnant by him as a result of a one-night stand they had.

Grant persuades Phil Mitchell to attend Paul's funeral for Ben's sake, which he does.

Phil Mitchell lends Grant money to support him financially and Grant tells him to fight his liver condition.

Phil Mitchell advises against it but Ben is adamant Ben's psychiatric test results mean that it is unlikely he will be able to.

Phil Mitchell is hospitalised again with an infection and Sharon discovers that Phil Mitchell has changed his will to leave everything to Louise so she forces him to have the will amended to include her.

When Jay returns, Sharon allows him back into the Mitchell household, and when Phil is discharged and returns home, he eventually allows Jay to live there.

When Phil Mitchell has been sober for six months, he refuses to have the transplant, devastating his family, though Sharon supports his decision.

However, after one of Dennis's friends at school is stabbed and dies, Dennis is visibly upset, and therefore Phil Mitchell decides to go on the transplant list after realising he does not want to put his family through the upset of his death.

Phil Mitchell decides he wants to spend Christmas alone and Sharon reluctantly agrees.

Phil Mitchell is taken to hospital when a liver is found and changes his mind about being alone at Christmas, and he does not change his mind after tests show that the liver is not suitable.

Phil Mitchell refuses to make Jay leave, despite being told that Louise could be taken into care.

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Phil Mitchell is unable to give Ronnie away on her wedding day to Jack, so she and Roxy visit him in hospital.

Phil Mitchell is discharged from hospital and Sharon eventually discovers that Phil Mitchell is the father of Denise's baby after overhearing a discussion between Shirley and Denise.

When Phil Mitchell expresses his wish to adopt Dennis, Sharon tells him the truth about his son.

Phil Mitchell refuses to speak at Ronnie and Roxy's funeral, but changes his mind after Michelle speaks to him.

Phil Mitchell meets Aaron, the son of his friend Tony, who was meant to have the liver the Phil Mitchell received, and gives him money out of guilt for having survived when Tony died, however Aaron's mother, Antoinette, returns it and tells him not to contact them again.

Phil Mitchell decides that he wants to take time away from Walford to recover from his transplant and he and Sharon decide to go to Italy.

Phil Mitchell turns up at the hospital, where he is surprised and unimpressed to find Lisa there already.

Phil Mitchell appears to oblige at first, but then proceeds to physically throw Lisa out of the hospital – ordering her to stay away from their daughter.

Lisa stays with Louise at the hospital and Lisa stands up to Phil Mitchell, telling him she is not going and Phil Mitchell allows Lisa to visit Louise.

Phil Mitchell is angry as the doctor explains how Louise is at a crucial stage in her recovery and the police tell Phil Mitchell and Sharon what they are doing.

Louise wakes up and Lisa lies to her that she and Phil Mitchell agreed for her to be away from the square, while Phil Mitchell and Sharon question Lisa's capabilities.

Louise confides in Phil Mitchell about her guilt of leaving Lisa when she was ill and she rubbishes Phil Mitchell's belief he is a bad father.

Phil Mitchell then receives an offer on the car lot land and confides in Kathy about the guilt he still has over the car lot fire.

Phil Mitchell tells Sharon that he would provide for Raymond and Aaron and pay off debts if he accepted.

Ben signs the paperwork for the garage when Phil Mitchell decides to hand it over to him and Sharon is left stunned when he decides to give Jay the car lot land, as it is worth more than the garage.

Ben is angry with Phil Mitchell for making him feel second best to his and Sharon's other children.

Phil Mitchell then reveals this to be a lie in a mysterious phone call.

Later, Phil Mitchell is knocked unconscious when the exposed gas line explodes during the Walford in Bloom event – but he is unharmed.

Phil Mitchell tells Kathy of Luke's identity and he warns Luke to stay away from Ben, which backfires as Luke tells Ben about Phil Mitchell's threat.

Phil Mitchell accepts, and helps Aidan recruit a crew for the heist; Mick and Vincent join the pair along with their new friend, Keanu Taylor.

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In 2019, Phil is led to believe by his wife Sharon Mitchell that she is pregnant with his child.

Later in 2019, Phil Mitchell is told by his ex-girlfriend and Louise's mum, Lisa Fowler, that he is not the father of Sharon's baby.

Phil Mitchell comes to believe that the father is in fact Jack Branning.

Phil Mitchell then swears to have revenge, planning to kill Keanu and confront Sharon.

Phil Mitchell confronts Sharon, letting her know he knows that her baby isn't his and that Keanu is the real father.

Phil Mitchell denies any involvement in Keanu's disappearance but later discoverers that Sharon has given the police the video that Martin filmed of Keanu's supposed death.

However, after seemingly having a deal sorted with landlord Mick Carter, Phil Mitchell is beaten to the sale by his ex Sharon and Ian Beale.

Later in 2020, after Sharon and Phil Mitchell find out that Ian Beale locked Dennis in a room during the boat crash, they plan their revenge on him.

In 2021, Phil Mitchell has been helping Sharon, Sharon wants to rekindle their relationship but Phil Mitchell is unsure.

Phil Mitchell prepares for his son Ben's marriage to Callum Highway.

When she does her and Phil Mitchell make their relationship public, however Phil Mitchell is not talking to his son Ben or his husband Callum.

Phil Mitchell was originally depicted as the thinker and the more streetwise of the pair, often bailing his more spontaneous brother out of trouble, although later plotlines drove the character down a darker, more destructive route.

Phil Mitchell can be very violent, but unlike Grant, he occasionally showed restraint when dealing with various enemies encountered – exacting revenge over time, using mind games or getting others to do his dirty work, amongst other things.

One of the most notable and popular early storylines involving Phil Mitchell was a love triangle between him, his brother and his brother's wife Sharon.

The episode in which Phil Mitchell betrayed his brother with Sharon occurred in September 1992 in one of the soap's notorious three-handers.

Phil Mitchell's disposition altered during the early 2000s when a darker more menacing side to his personality began to surface.

Phil Mitchell's behaviour earned him a number of sworn enemies in Albert Square and by 2001 the character had become one of the soap's nastiest villains.

Phil Mitchell was gunned down outside his home in March 2001 in a "Dallas-style" whodunnit mystery.

In June 2010, it was reported that Phil Mitchell would develop an addiction to crack cocaine after his troubled personal life leads to depression.

Viewers never see Phil Mitchell take drugs to make sure the episodes are suitable for all audiences.

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Phil Mitchell knows how much he fought for custody, for contact and how important it was for him to see his children.

Phil Mitchell has featured in some of the show's most memorable and highly viewed storylines and he is the second longest running male character to appear in the soap, surpassed only by Ian Beale.

In 2009, Phil Mitchell came second in a poll by British men's magazine Loaded for 'Top Soap Bloke'.

Phil Mitchell is a consistent and central character in the satirical McFadden's Cold War collages by Cold War Steve.