Phil makes a shock announcement!

EastEnders Phil Mitchell
(Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Billy and Jay are devastated by what Phil has to say...

Phil drops a bombshell on Billy, leaving a watching Jay to wonder what's going on. Later, Jay approaches Phil and forces him to tell him what he and Billy were discussing. Phil's revelation leaves Jay devastated. Meanwhile, Sharon has something important to ask Ben...

Martin is concerned about how upset Bex is over Shakil and does his best to cheer her up. It's the night of the Christmas show and, still angry with her dad, Bex instead storms off. Stacey finds Bex and gives her some advice. As the Christmas Show kicks off in front of a sold-out audience, will it all go to plan?

Also, Whitney is worried about Lee's dark mood and turns to Mick for help. Meanwhile, increasingly panicky about his cash-flow situation, Lee tries to get another loan. He's thrown a lifeline... But is it the right thing to do?

Rachel Lucas
Forward Planning Deputy Manager

Rachel is a soaps and TV writer for WhatToWatch.com, soaps podcaster and resident soap expert for UK TV listings magazines What's On TV and TV Times. After graduating with an art and design degree from Birmingham City University, she found her true calling in all things soap and has been writing about them for magazines and websites for over 20 years. A self-confessed soap addict, she's always had a great love of all the UK and Aussie soaps and owns everything from a Neighbours 1990 Annual to a DVD box set of classic Corrie episodes to prove it.