BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 9 Mar 2026, 13:03 By Claire Crick 9 Mar 2026, 13:03 EastEnders fans thrilled as 'missing' Mitchell makes a rare appearance in early iPlayer episode She's back... but for how long?! Phil Mitchell Sam Mitchell Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 9 Mar 2026, 13:03 By Claire Crick 9 Mar 2026, 13:03 WARNING: This article is full of spoilers for today’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming on BBC iPlayer now, but has not yet aired on BBC One, and sees Sam Mitchell make a short appearance. Fans who have spent weeks wondering what happened to Sam Mitchell finally had their questions answered in today’s EastEnders when the missing character made a brief appearance. But while everyone was pleased to see Sam back on screen, her cancer storyline still appears to be playing second fiddle to the rest of the drama in Albert Square. Sam’s cancer storyline has been playing out mostly off-screen (Credit: BBC) Where has Sam Mitchell been in EastEnders? Ever since Kim Medcalf returned to Walford as Sam Mitchell, fans have been thrilled. And when Sam was sadly diagnosed with cancer, it seemed the character was facing her biggest storyline yet. However, viewers have been left disappointed that Sam’s health storyline has always been happening off-screen. She has even attended most of her appointments behind the scenes. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers While we have been treated to mentions of Sam’s radiotherapy appointments on screen via her family, Sam herself has been a rare occurrence in each episode. Despite Sam deciding to stay in Walford more than a fortnight ago, we still haven’t seen much of her. Even when old family friend Nigel went into a home, Sam was nowhere to be seen, and fans are starting to get annoyed. Sam Mitchell decided to stay more than a fortnight ago (Credit: BBC) Sam makes a comeback… briefly! Today’s EastEnders sees Sam finally make a screen appearance. However, it is another fleeting blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. The scene comes as Phil is avoiding going to see Nigel in his care home after his emotional move there last week.Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. As Sam talks about the fact that she is a week into her radiotherapy treatment but still gets nervous about going, Julie asks Phil what time he is going to see Nigel. Phil pretends he is very busy, using accompanying Sam to her radiotherapy session as a reason he can’t see his friend. While Sam is grateful that her big brother is coming to the appointment with her, Phil is soon distracted when Lexi arrives, asking to see Nigel herself. Even Lexi’s request to see Nigel doesn’t get Phil to agree to go to the care home. And instead, Callum is the one to take her to see Nigel alone. Sam’s back briefly today (Credit: BBC) EastEnders fans demand more Sam Mitchell screen time This brief moment with Sam thrilled fans, and they are demanding more screen time for the character… “SAM WE HAVE MISSED YOU!” said one fan on X. Another agreed: “It‘s been over 2 weeks since Sam confirmed she’s staying in Walford, yet she’s not had any screentime since. Sort it out, EastEnders! Kim Medcalf deserves so much better than this!” “Honest to god, Kim deserves so much better than this. Why is she hardly getting any screentime? We should be seeing her cancer storyline play out on screen to raise awareness,” agreed another viewer. Someone else suggested maybe Kim will get some screen time when Grant returns. “Are they going to keep Sam in the cupboard until Grant returns? Tell me why her cancer storyline is STILL OFF SCREEN!” “Why has Sam decided to stay in Walford, and we don’t ever get to see her? Everything about her cancer appointments is always off-screen,” said someone else. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 9 Mar 2026, 13:03 By Claire Crick 9 Mar 2026, 13:03 Next Story
