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After Phil Mitchell received a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver at Christmas, and his recent shock collapse in front of teenage daughter Louise (Tilly Keeper), things aren't looking pretty for the Mitchell patriarch on EastEnders.
So when schoolgirl Louise turns up in Walford next week to let her dad's loved ones know the score with Phil's health, how will the update be received? Will his fed-up wife, Sharon (Letitia Dean), even believe the news?
When Phil saw daughter Louise last week he was a mission to right some wrongs after being diagnosed with the potentially fatal liver condition.
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 18/01/2016 - Episode: 5213 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Louise arrives in Walford. Louise Mitchell (TILLY KEEPER) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Jack Barnes (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)
With family and his uncertain future on his mind, Phil made contact with Louise but ended up collapsing! She's now arrived in Albert Square to tell his family the bad news.
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 18/01/2016 - Episode: 5213 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Louise tells everyone that Phil is in hospital. Louise Mitchell (TILLY KEEPER), Sharon Mitchell (LETITIA DEAN), Ian Beale (ADAM WOODYATT), Jane Beale (LAURIE BRETT), Kathy Sullivan (GILLIAN TAYLFORTH), Shirley Carter (LINDA HENRY) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
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Phil's loved ones, including wife Sharon, are shocked when they hear from Louise that Phil is in hospital… and he's dying!
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 18/01/2016 - Episode: 5213 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Louise tells everyone that Phil is in hospital. Louise Mitchell (TILLY KEEPER), Shirley Carter (LINDA HENRY) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
Sharon refuses to listen to Louise, but, later, when Kathy and Shirley join Sharon at the hospital, they learn the teen wasn't lying!
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 18/01/2016 - Episode: 5213 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Lee tries to calm Phil down. Lee Carter (DANNY-BOY HATCHARD), Vincent (RICHARD BLACKWOOD), Phil Mitchell (STEVE MCFADDEN) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
But Sharon's all out of sympathy when Phil discharges himself and, appearing to have a death wish, ends up drunk later that day in The Vic!
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 18/01/2016 - Episode: 5213 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Sharon leaves the hospital with Dennis and makes a surprising decision. Sharon Mitchell (LETITIA DEAN), Dennis Rickman (Bleu Landau) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
After all the drama of the day, Sharon leaves the hospital with son Denny, who was injured in the Christmas Day crash caused by Phil, and she makes a decision...
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 18/01/2016 - Episode: 5213 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Sharon leaves the hospital with Dennis and makes a surprising decision. Sharon Mitchell (LETITIA DEAN), Dennis Rickman (Bleu Landau) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
Has she decided to leave Phil for good?
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 19/01/2016 - Episode: 5214 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Shirley is upset for Phil. Andrew 'Buster' Briggs (KARL HOWMAN), Shirley Carter (LINDA HENRY) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Jack Barnes (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)
In contrast to Sharon, Phil's ex Shirley seems to have sympathy for the alcoholic, as Buster comforts her.
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 12/01/2016 - Programme Name: Eastenders - TX: 19/01/2016 - Episode: 5214 (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Shirley is upset for Phil. Andrew 'Buster' Briggs (KARL HOWMAN), Shirley Carter (LINDA HENRY) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Jack Barnes (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)
With Sharon appearing to have turned her back on Phil, will Shirley be able to save him from an early grave? Watch EastEnders from Monday, January 18 on BBC1
