14 Facts About Steve McFadden

Steve Robert McFadden is an English actor whose career has spanned three decades.

Steve McFadden rose to prominence for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, which he has played since 1990.

Steve McFadden was born in Maida Vale, London, on 20 March 1959.

Steve McFadden left school in 1975, and had short stints in jobs including labouring, carrot picking, plumbing and working at a builder's merchant.

In 1988, Steve McFadden got his first acting role as a uncredited extra in the film Buster.

Steve McFadden played his first speaking role as a football hooligan in the 1989 BBC television film The Firm, and this was followed by guest appearances in television series including The Bill, Minder and Bergerac.

Steve McFadden then began portraying the role of Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Steve McFadden joined EastEnders at the beginning of 1990, at the same time as Ross Kemp, who played Phil's younger brother Grant Mitchell.

Steve McFadden left EastEnders in late 2003 for a one-year break to concentrate on pantomimes.

Steve McFadden's character was written out of the series after being framed for an armed robbery by Den Watts, and going on the run after breaking out of prison.

Steve McFadden returned to EastEnders for two episodes in April 2005.

Steve McFadden has appeared as Captain Hook in a pantomime production of Peter Pan from 2010 to 2011 at The Swan.

Steve McFadden is a sailor, and took part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in his motorboat, Barbara.

Steve McFadden sued News of the World after one of their journalists admitted trying to intercept his voicemail messages in the News International phone hacking scandal.