It won’t be all mistletoe and wine for the Mitchell patriarch (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)Christmas 2024 was a particularly unhappy time for EastEnders legend, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). The soap stalwart moved away from his typical crime plots and was placed at the centre of an incredibly powerful and moving mental health storyline. As his marriage to Kat (Jessie Wallace) fell apart, he was left incredibly lonely and began to withdraw, becoming isolated from his family and friends as his mental health continued to deteriorate. Steve McFadden has warned of ‘sadness’ for Phil over Christmas (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)Things haven’t been easy, though. According to British acting royalty, Steve McFadden, this years festive season will be a challenging one for his alter-ego.