Steve McFadden has been praised by his co-star Tameka Empson for being fantastic at playing a drunk.
Steve McFadden
The 57-year-old actor's alter ego Phil Mitchell has been backing on the booze in recent months with the alcoholic character being diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.
In the much-anticipated episode which saw Peggy Mitchell (Dame Barbara Windsor) pass away on Tuesday night (17.05.16) viewers saw a drunk Phil and his younger brother Grant (Ross Kemp) reunite for the first time in years and come to blows as they rowed over how to look after their cancer-stricken mother.
As Phil aimed a punch at Grant, he keeled over and clutched his side as pain soared through his damaged liver.
Tameka - who plays Kim Fox on the BBC One soap - commended Steve's acting skills in that scene and over the course of the storyline.
Nick Grimshaw was speaking to her on his BBC Radio 1 'Breakfast Show', and the DJ said: "Phil actually looks like a real drunk person! He's amazing at it."
Tameka replied: "I know! He's too good at it. I'm telling you, leave it alone (Phil) and also, he's dying as well. And I loved how he tried to get a bit serious. (The acting) has been very strong."
Although she stars in the show, as a fan also, the 39-year-old actress has been thrilled to have Barbara and Ross return to Walford and says the Peggy death plot has come at a great time ahead of The British Soap Awards, which take place on May 28, as the storyline can help 'EastEnders' retain the crown of Best British Soap at the expense of its rivals 'Coronation Street', 'Hollyoaks' and 'Emmerdale'.
She said: "All this with Barbara and Grant and all that I think it has come at a really great time and in time for the soap awards as well. All the other shows are great as well and anything can happen."
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