Next week could prove to be the one that finally breaks EastEnders’ toughest character, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). He has managed to defeat every obstacle he has ever encountered, using a combination of animal cunning, a mean right hook, and the help of his iconic yet utterly corrupt lawyer, Ritchie Scott (Sian Weber). However, an enemy Phil cannot defeat is dementia, and no punch, criminal scheme, or legal loophole will help him. There is no winning here, only time and the inevitable, as Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) enters his final days.
After sharing a heartbreaking goodbye with his best friend, Phil has been unable to visit Nigel in the care home. With sister Sam (Kim Medcalf) deeply concerned for Phil’s mental health and Nigel deteriorating fast due to pneumonia, a conversation with Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) convinces Phil that the time is right to reach out to the third Mitchell sibling, Grant (Ross Kemp), in a bid to allow him the opportunity to say goodbye to his dear friend and reunite the Mitchell trio.
Why Does Grant Return?
‘I think Grant is desperate to see his son. They have never had a relationship, and he may see this as the first step towards potentially building one,’ Ross said. ‘He is also shocked to hear from him in general and probably feels that, if Mark has reached out after all this time, then whatever is happening must be significant enough, and important enough, for him to come back to Walford immediately.’
Grant’s Cold Reception
Grant’s return, however, does not go smoothly: ‘Grant was expecting to arrive back in Albert Square as a returning hero, but instead he is met with quite the complete opposite reaction and is given quite a cold reception,’ Ross said. Armed with the knowledge that his nearest and dearest are deeply worried about Phil, Grant heads off to see Nigel and is heartbroken to see just how unwell he has become. ‘Initially, Grant is very angry with Phil because he believes Phil has been selfish and has abandoned Nigel by placing him in a care home,’ Ross said.
Utterly enraged by Phil’s lack of communication, the Mitchell reunion quickly goes to hell, as Phil first boots out Sam and Mark, before he and Grant get down to the nitty gritty. The following day, Phil is trapped deeply in his emotions, convinced that neither Nigel nor Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) need him around.
Nigel’s Final Hours
With Nigel rapidly deteriorating, Julie decides the kindest thing is to withdraw treatment, and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) urges Phil to go and see his best friend, but he is thrown out as Phil’s grief spills over. When he tries again later, with Mark by his side, they are panicked to realise Phil is missing. Luckily, Grant knows exactly where his brother will be, and despite Julie’s pleas to be at Nigel’s side as he enters his final hours, Grant dedicates himself to reuniting Phil and Nigel.
Grant’s intervention works and, after the typical Mitchell shouting and posturing, he manages to get through to Phil and convince him that Nigel needs him, now more than ever. As they race against time that is quickly running out, they make it to the care home and Phil is able to say an emotional goodbye to Nigel, who holds on until his best friend finally arrives before peacefully slipping away.
Aftermath and Fears for Phil
In the aftermath, Phil is raw. Returning home to find the residents of Albert Square planning a celebration of Nigel’s life, Julie basks in the kindness of their friends, but Phil’s pain is unyielding, leaving Grant and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) terrified that history is about to repeat itself.
What does Ross think the audience will take from the story? ‘What makes it so special and impactful is the performances, particularly by Paul, Karen, and Steve, and that the story has played out in real time. Paul did an amazing job showing the many different layers of how dementia affects a human being, and how it impacts the people around them, and I think that will really resonate with many people.’
Will the sheer amount of grief he has endured cause a mental health relapse for Phil? And who can bring him out of it if it does?
