Phil refused help in EastEnders as his devastating situation worsens

Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) has finally sought help from a doctor in EastEnders – but has been refused any further support. The Albert Square legend’s mental health has spiralled, resulting in him making an attempt to take his own life. At the last minute he began to regret his decisions – but further horror arose when he fell into the grease pit in The Arches garage. Fortunately, the next morning, Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) discovered him and he was rushed into hospital.

Doctors encouraged him to open up to his family members who were waiting for him outside, but Phil didn’t want to hear it. Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) realised that his pal was contemplating suicide and confronted him – though the conversation quickly turned sour and he was ordered to leave. Later, Phil could be seen engaging in a heated conversation in his living room. In a sad twist, there was nobody there. This was the first sign that he is suffering psychosis and later this week, we’ll see him hallucinate a scene from his youth.

Ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) decided to step in, comparing his loneliness to that of pensioner Reg Cox who was found unconscious in his flat when she was a teenager. Reluctant to take into account what she had said, he then sought services from a sex worker. Sharon was horrified, and in tonight’s episode decided to try and get him to accept some help from a doctor. She had heard from another of Phil’s ex-wives, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), that he hadn’t been attending appointments, and as she was still listed as his next of kin she’d been contacted.

He remained adamant that he didn’t need anymore medical attention – and so Sharon took it upon herself to book him in at the surgery. During his consultation, the doctor told him that he’d prescribe stronger painkillers to help with the pain from his knee as it hadn’t healed. Phil asked if he could get some sleeping tablets, but they were refused due to his history with substance abuse. Here's what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:.

Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week. This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20. The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which….

With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover. We also know that another 'history making' decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced. ​​Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.

‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded. With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.

Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops. Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments. BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.

As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground. Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There's also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens - is this from the wedding?. Sharon, who was also in attendance, noted Phil’s low mood and he was asked to rate how he felt on a scale of one to ten.