EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (March 19), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Note: This article discusses topics including suicide.
EastEnders has revealed a worrying twist about Phil Mitchell, in the show’s latest episode.
For the last month, Phil has been recovering in a mental health unit after attempting to take his own life.
The Mitchells have tried to keep the truth about Phil from his granddaughter Lexi, but this week she grew suspicious and found the letters Phil wrote before his suicide attempt.
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Nigel, who has young on-set dementia, got confused when Lexi asked him about Phil, and believed her to be his daughter Claire, so the teenager ran off in tears.
In today’s episode, Lexi asked Billy and Honey if Phil was dead, explaining what had happened with Nigel, and they reassured her that her grandad was alive.
Billy violently confronted a vulnerable Nigel, unaware of his illness, and only stopped when Callum arrived. When Callum attempted to diffuse the situation, Billy lashed out and said he wasn’t Lexi’s proper dad.
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Honey and Sharon tried to calm Billy down at the Boxing Den, and he admitted that he was angry at himself for not spotting the signs of Phil’s declining mental health.
Billy found Lexi and Callum in the café and apologised to them both, and they all finally had an open conversation about supporting Phil.
Meanwhile, Linda found out what had happened and went to check on Nigel. He was distressed and initially didn’t recognise Linda, but she comforted him and explained the events of the evening.
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Nigel went to the café, with Linda in tow, to try and make amends with Billy. The group decided to go and see Phil in the mental health unit, to make it clear that they were here for him.
But they got a shock when they arrived at the hospital and were told that they couldn't visit Phil as he had discharged himself that morning.
As his loved ones worry about where Phil is, will tomorrow’s special episode provide an explanation?
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393
Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
