'EastEnders' referenced England's Euro 2020 final loss on last night's episode - with Billy Mitchell devastated at the defeat.
Perry Fenwick
The BBC One soap shot a last-minute scene, which was written and filmed on Monday (12.07.21), to reflect Italy's penalties win over the Three Lions on Sunday (11.07.21), after England had reached their first major tournament final for 55 years.
Perry Fenwick's character Billy Mitchell was seen trudging back to Albert Square with an England flag draped over his shoulders and a disgruntled look on his face after Italy clinched European Championships victory at Wembley.
Speaking to Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell), the hapless market trader said: "You know, I was seven when we won the World Cup.
"I just hope I'm about long enough to see us win something else."
Football manager Harry Redknapp made a cameo in the soap last week, and Billy thought it could've been "a sign" that football was coming home for England.
He said: "I thought with Harry turning up round here on Friday, it was a sign, it was fate."
Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) then criticised England manager Gareth Southgate's tactics, insisting he could've brought another forward on when the Three Lions were leading.
She told Billy and Bobby: "We should have brought on another attacker and killed them off when we were at 1-0."
The dating agency owner ended up turning the final off and sticking ITV2 show 'Love Island' on instead due to the emotion of the game, which went to penalties after ending 1-1.
She said: "Had to put on 'Love Island' in the end, I mean it got too much, it was too emotional.
"And I'm glad that I did because to see Saka crying live on TV would have broken my heart.
"It's gonna be a long time before I have spaghetti bolognese or chicken arrabbiata, let me tell you.
"But don't worry boys, I mean the World Cup's next year innit?"
A hopeful Billy then said: "It will come home. See you later."
Prior to the last-minute scene, Jon Sen, EastEnders' Executive Producer, insisted it was "only right" for the Walford locals to be seen chatting about the outcome of the final.
He said: "Although it’s only a small scene, with England’s performance in the Euros capturing the hearts of the nation over the past month it’s only right that the residents of Walford would be talking about last night’s historical match."
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