EastEnders to revisit Phil Mitchell's past in Alfie cancer story

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders will revisit Phil Mitchell's past as part of Alfie Moon's prostate cancer storyline.

Yesterday (August 14), EastEnders confirmed that Alfie will be diagnosed with the illness, and tonight's (August 15) episode began laying the foundation for the new story.

Working alongside Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, the soap is set to follow Alfie as he comes to terms with the diagnosis.

In scenes scheduled to air next week on BBC One, Phil invites Alfie for a kick-about with the boys in an attempt to get him to open up about what's going on.

After Alfie remains evasive about his upcoming MRI scan, Phil reminds him that he needs to take his health seriously for his kids.

During the chat, Phil reminds Alfie that some of the children on the Square — like his granddaughter Lexi, who recently lost her mum Lola to a brain tumour — don't have the privilege of having two parents.

Phil continues to pressure Alfie and shares that he's going to the hospital to get his prostate checked, as his dad Eric died of prostate cancer.

Phil and Alfie then head to the hospital together for their respective tests, and Alfie later thanks Phil for his support.

Speaking of the new storyline, executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: "When we first embarked on this storyline, we knew it was imperative that we worked alongside Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to take on and accurately portray such an emotional and pivotal storyline for Alfie, and one that many viewers may relate to.

"Shane [Richie] has thoughtfully portrayed the realities of being diagnosed with prostate cancer with grace and understanding. We hope that this storyline resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and as accurately as possible."

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.

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