Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) loved-ones face a race to save him in heartbreaking scenes to air as part of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary.
The Walford stalwart’s continuing mental health struggle reaches a tragic point next week when he plans to end his life.
Fans saw the character contemplate suicide earlier this month during hard-hitting scenes at the Arches and he will soon begin to experience hallucinations and visions, which will take viewers back to an event from his life in 1985.
But as residents of Albert Square are busy with preparations for Honey and Billy Mitchell’s (Emma Barton and Perry Fenwick) wedding celebrations next week, Phil’s pain deepens.
Having recently returned to Walford at the request of a worried Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), Phil’s brother Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) does his best to try and keep his spirits up.
However, as the festivities get underway on Monday, Phil’s family are totally unaware that he has made a devastating decision.
It is Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) who raises the alarm over Phil’s wellbeing, having become increasingly worried that he’s a danger to himself.
After arriving at his house, she finds evidence of his despair and finds Grant and Nigel as they then make a desperate bid to reach Phil before it is too late.
But having hit rock bottom, Phil believes there is no other way out. Can his loved ones find a way to get through to him?
EastEnders has been working with charities The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil’s story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible.
Soap boss Chris Clenshaw continued, adding: ‘Phil’s depression storyline will focus on his decline in mental health and the subsequent psychotic symptoms, and the reaction of those around him, as we hope to demonstrate how mental health can affect anyone at any time.
‘Steve’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary and has thoughtfully portrayed the complex realities of depression, and the experience of psychotic symptoms, with compassion and understanding.’
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 17 February on BBC One and iPlayer.
