No family in Albert Square has had more ups and downs, more heartbreak or more conflict than Peggy, Phil and their extended family. Read on to find out more...
Alcoholism, physical and mental abuse, cancer, shootings, affairs with the sister-in-law, affairs with the mother-in-law and illegal car deals are just some of the trials and tribulations that have beset Walford’s liveliest clan over the years. Their troubles are matched only by their fierce family loyaly.
So who's who in the Mitchells?
Peggy Mitchell
Played by Barbara Windsor, Peggy is the typically fearsome East End matriarch. Landlady of the Queen Vic pub, nothing gets past her and she will fight tooth and nail to protect her brood. Peggy has been married twice – to boxer Eric Mitchell (with whom she had the twins Phil and Grant and daughter Sam), and to car dealer Frank Butcher. Frank cheated on her with his ex, Pat Evans.
Phil Mitchell
Peggy’s son is Eastenders resident hard man. It is rare to see Phil (Steve Mc Fadden) smile, and looking at his life story, it is not hard to see why. Although he has a stake in both the Queen Vic and the Arches garage, Phil struggles to find happiness.
Phil's Wives
Phil’s three marriages all ended in disaster. He then narrowly avoided marrying Stella Crawford in July 2007. The wedding turned into an inquest when her psychological abuse of Phil’s son Ben came to light and she killed herself.
Phil's Daughter
Phil also has a daughter, Louise. He had not seen her since 2003, when her mother Lisa ran off with her. In December 2007, Phil managed –with the help of Jack Branning - to track Louise down, only to find that Lisa had a new partner that Louise now calls Daddy.
He has been dogged by alcoholism since 1997, but on the whole battles his addiction successfully. This strength is one of the few admirable traits that Phil possesses.
Grant Mitchell
Phil’s twin brother left Albert Square in 1999. He fled to Rio with his daughter Courtney to escape a criminal gang.
Billy Mitchell
As a distant relative of Peggy and Phil, Billy (Perry Fenwick) arrived in Eastenders as the ex-bullied child who became the bully. He was originally one of the square’s baddies, regularly beating up his nephew Jamie. Since then he has changed his ways, and is seen as generally good-hearted, if misguided. The hapless Billy often gets on the wrong side of Phil and Peggy, but has found true happiness with his wife Honey and their children Janet (Petal) and William.
Ronnie and Roxie Mitchell
Peggy’s nieces have caused quite a stir since their arrival in Walford in July 2007. Like chalk and cheese, they nevertheless stick together in most matters. Ronnie co-owns the club R&R with romantic interest and enemy of Phil, Jack Branning. She had previously beaten him in a game of poker, enabling her to pay off her Aunty Peggy's debts.
Roxie, the more flighty and impulsive of the sisters, turned down the chance to have a stake in the club when she bought a car on a whim instead. Ronnie and Roxie are played by Samantha Janus and Rita Simons.
