EastEnders fans celebrate Phil Mitchell's biggest death twist EVER

Phil Mitchell smiling in EastEnders
EastEnders' hardman Phil Mitchell 'returned from the dead' in shocking prison twist. (Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders viewers rejoiced during last night's episode (Thursday, July 7) as Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) 'returned from the dead' after everyone believed he had been killed in a vicious prison attack.

In Tuesday's EastEnders episode, it ended on a major cliffhanger which saw Phil about to get brutally attacked by Craig and his men.

During last night's episode, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) sobbed after finding out from a phone call that Phil had been killed during the attack.

As she tried to suppress her tears, she went on to fulfill Phil's last wish and go on with the Peggy's bar launch, before handing out the letters to his family that he had given her.

However, as Sharon tried to put on a brave face during the bar launch and keep the secret that he had died, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) had intercepted the letters before Sharon could give them out.

Sam was offended that Phil had not written her a letter and soon enough, Sharon caught a sobbing Sam reading Kat Slater's (Jessie Wallace) letter.

She was in disbelief that her brother had been killed and Sharon soon revealed the tragic news that he had been attacked in prison.

Sam Mitchell

Sam was reeling from the news. (Image credit: BBC)

Sam bawled as she wandered the streets of Walford, before she found herself at The Queen Vic where she bumped into Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), implying that something had gone on with his dad, but didn't say what.

Meanwhile at Peggy's, Kat was having words with Sharon for not helping with the customers and she spotted the letter addressed to her on the desk.

Sharon snatched it away from her and she tearfully told her that Phil had died. Kat refused to believe her, but the devastation soon hit when she read his touching letter.

As Kat cried, Sam showed up, still wounded by the fact that Phil didn't give her a letter and pressured Kat to sign over the club to Jonah (aka herself).

However, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) interrupted the women, saying: "Why didn't you tell me? Come and have a look."

The baffled women followed him and they were stunned by what they found — a grinning Phil standing at the top of the stairs.

"It's my welcome home party!" he chuckled, as the astounded onlookers watched on.

Kat, Sam, Sharon and others are stunned to see an unexpected person show up

Welcome home Phil! (Image credit: BBC)

Fans were delighted by Phil's explosive entrance and were happy to see him return...

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EastEnders continues Monday, July 11 at 7:30pm on BBC One.

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.


You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!


Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.