BBC Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 5 Feb 2026, 08:02 By Carena Crawford 5 Feb 2026, 08:02 Phil Mitchell in EastEnders: love rat, richest man in Walford, father of four and the surprising fact that he has *never* killed anyone on the soap Phil is a man of soap legend Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 5 Feb 2026, 08:02 By Carena Crawford 5 Feb 2026, 08:02 Phil Mitchell is one of the most iconic characters to come out of EastEnders, having been at the heart of some of the soap’s biggest storylines over the past three decades. Businessman, gangster, lothario and surprising advocate of male mental health, Phil has done it all. But how much do you really know about Phil Mitchell? How many women has he bedded? How old is the character? And has Phil ever actually killed anyone on the soap? Keep reading to find out… Grant, Phil and Peggy: the Walford icons (Credit: BBC) Who is Phil Mitchell in EastEnders? Phil Mitchell is the eldest child of Peggy and Eric Mitchell. His siblings are little brother and sister Samantha. Often dubbed the richest man in Walford, Phil has his fingers in many pies – including businesses such as Peggy’s wine bar, The Boxing Den and Mitchell’s Autos. Actor Steve McFadden temporarily left in 2003, but made a comeback in 2005. This makes him the second-longest-serving character in EastEnders, surpassed only by Ian Beale. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Phil’s journey has been nothing short of dramatic during his time in Walford. His storylines have included everything from affairs to addiction and, most recently, his struggle with loneliness and poor mental health? How old is Phil Mitchell? Phil Mitchell was born on the 20th January 1961, making him 63 years old. He’s a year older than brother Grant, and 14 years older than sister Sam. In real life, actor Steve McFadden is a little bit older – born in March 1949, he’s 66 years old. When did Phil Mitchell join EastEnders? Phil’s first appearance in EastEnders was in February 1990. He rocked up to open a automobile repair shop, known as The Arches, and was joined by younger brother Grant. A year later, their mother made a brief appearance – Peggy Mitchell, briefly played by Jo Warne. Recast after her original appearances, Peggy was played by Carry On legend Barbara Windsor when she returned in 1994 – and would remain on the soap for two further decades, until her death in 2016. How are Phil and Ian related? Phil and Ian are not blood-related. However, they were once stepfather and stepson, in a long-running feud which dates back to Phil’s 1995 marriage to Ian’s mum, Kathy Beale. Phil and Kathy went on to have a child together, Ben Mitchell, a year later – who is Ian’s half-brother. Phil and Ian’s relationship has been a volatile one, with Ian being on the receiving end of many a head-flushing from his former stepfather. However, there have been surprising moments of warmth and tenderness too – as when Phil comforted a devastated Ian as he grieved the loss of daughter Lucy. Nigel’s been staying with Phil (Credit: BBC) Where does Phil Mitchell live? In the famous square, Phil Mitchell lives at 55 Victoria Road. He is currently living with Grant’s best friend, Nigel Bates, who returned to Walford in 2024 after an absence of over 20 years. Soon after returning, Nigel revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia. Phil agreed to look after Nigel no matter how bad his dementia gets, and is currently acting in his informal capacity as carer. Sharongate By far one of Phil’s most iconic storylines involved his affair with his brother’s wife, Sharon. Phil and Sharon first slept together in 1992, in the wake of a terrible argument between her and Grant. They struggled with their guilt for two more years before Grant found out – as a recording of them discussing their rendezvous was publicly played at Phil and Kathy’s engagement party in The Queen Vic. Furious, Grant beat Phil so badly that he suffered a brain clot, and almost died. The brothers eventually managed to move on, although things have been strained between them ever since. Alcoholism and drug addiction Phil’s most prominent storylines have revolved around his alcoholism. Phil’s growing dependency on booze led to the breakdown of his marriage to Kathy. Although Phil attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in 1997, he’s relapsed many times over the years – and even developed an addiction to crack cocaine in 2010. In 2016, Phil was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver as a result of his heavy drinking days. In December that year, he received a successful liver transplant and his issues with alcohol and substance abuse are largely behind him. Who has Phil Mitchell killed? This one will surprise you – although he’s one of the most famous hardmen in all of soap, Phil Mitchell has never actually intentionally killed anyone. In 1994, he started a fire at a car lot which led to the death of Alan Hall. Phil was asked by Frank Butcher to torch his car lot in an insurance scam. Phil did the deed, but he had no idea a homeless man, Alan, was inside at the time of the fire. Alan later died from his injuries. Who has Phil Mitchell slept with? Phil’s love life has been the talk of the soap fans for decades. And it’s fair to say he’s struck up romances with plenty of women over the years. His full list of bedroom conquests include *deep breath* Manda Best, Julie Cooper, Anne Howes, Nadia Boravac, Sharon Watts, Kathy Beale, Roma, Lorna Cartwright, Annie Palmer and also Lisa Shaw. As well as those, he bedded Mel Owen, Kate Morton, Stella Crawford, Suzy Branning, Shirley Carter, Dawn Swann, Rainie Cross, Tracey, Glenda Mitchell, Tanya Cross, Denise Fox, Kat Slater and Emma Harding. His five marriages are Nadia, Kathy, Kate, Sharon and Kat. Ladies take note – Phil is currently single and ready to mingle. Phil Mitchell lies shot on the ground (Credit: BBC) Who shot Phil Mitchell in EastEnders? In 2001, the soap aired one of its most memorable and biggest storylines in its history: Who Shot Phil? Kicking off in March that year, the whodunnit storyline saw Phil get shot outside of his home. And a whole range of names were revealed as suspects, including Ian Beale and Mel Owen. However, in April, it was finally confirmed that Lisa Shaw was responsible – having blamed him for her recent miscarriage and the loss of her job at the market. Who are Phil Mitchell children? Phil Mitchell has four children on the soap, with four different mothers. He shares Ben with Kathy Beale and also Louise with Lisa Fowler. What’s more, in 2016, he had a one-night stand with Denise Fox and they now share Raymond. Meanwhile last year, it was revealed that he was the real father of Sharon Watts’ child Albie. Phil’s depression almost killed him (Credit: BBC) Phil Mitchell’s struggle with depression in EastEnders Earlier this year, Phil grew increasingly unhappy and isolated following the imprisonment of son Ben and the arrival of Teddy Mitchell and his boys. This left Phil questioning his place as the leader of the Mitchell clan, and withdrawing further into himself. As Phil’s mental health worsened, he suffered a particularly bad episode in which he started seeing visions of his upbringing with a young Grant and Peggy. Spiralling into a pit of despair, Phil tried to take his own life in February. Thankfully, Nigel and Linda Carter managed to get to Phil in time, and convinced him to seek help. Following a stay on a mental health unit, Phil returned to Walford as a healed man, helping Nigel with his dementia and even offering sage advice to the likes of Alfie Moon and George Knight. Phil’s friendship with Nigel has stolen our hearts (Credit: BBC) Phil Mitchell’s caring for Nigel in EastEnders After being released from the mental health unit, Phil offered to take care of Nigel once the inevitable happens. However, Phil wasn’t prepared for how steeply Nigel would decline, and matters grew complicated with the arrival of his estranged wife, Julie. Phil and Julie clashed over how to best care for Nigel, with Julie adamant that he’d be best placed in a care home. While Phil eventually came to realise she was right, he panicked after visiting a care home with Nigel – and planned to sneak him off to Portugal while Julie was away. What will Phil and Julie do about Nigel? Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Add as a preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 5 Feb 2026, 08:02 By Carena Crawford 5 Feb 2026, 08:02 Previous Story Next Story
