EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders star George Greenland has promised that fans will get some answers about Billy Mitchell in the upcoming flashback episode.
Next Monday (September 5), the soap is set to air a special one-off focusing on the earlier days of the Mitchell family in 1979, with stars including George and Jaime Winstone (Peggy) taking on younger incarnations of fan favourite characters.
Reflecting on his preparation to play Billy (who is famously played by Perry Fenwick), George revealed: "Firstly it was so much fun, I was so excited when I got the role. Perry has been doing it for so long, so there is so much material for reference for how Billy ends up after we see him in this episode.
"I was watching loads of clips from old episodes, Billy Mitchell best bits. That was great for mannerisms and listening to his voice and trying to get the right tone to my voice.
"So there was loads of material out there and I did lot of research on his upbringing and what's happened to him before we meet him in this episode."
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George admitted he "knew quite a bit" on Billy's backstory and where he is at the start of the episode, especially after growing up watching the soap.
"It was a bit of a staple in my house," he said. "Billy is always there, as far back as I can remember he was always a part of it.
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"In terms of his dreams going forward I think at the time we meet him he is so young and has had such a tough time as a kid that I think his dreams are about the immediate as opposed to the long-term," George explained.
"He's thinking 'Where can I get a decent meal, where can I get my next bit of money?' It's very in the now. I think he's a nice bloke, he means well and his heart is always in the right place but it doesn't always end up going according to plan."
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The star suggested that Billy "would probably be quite happy at where he ends up," noting: "He's had some nice relationships, had kids, I think he would be content with that considering where he has come from and his experiences growing up.
"I don't think he would have been setting himself these mad goals. I think young Billy just wants a solid life, and I think he's done well!"
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.
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