EastEnders fans baffled by disappearance of major character
Stevie hasn’t been seen since January
EastEnders fans have been left completely baffled by the disappearance of Billy Mitchell’s (Perry Fenwick) estranged dad Stevie (Alan Ford).
Hollywood icon Ford made his first appearance at the funeral of Aunt Sal Martin (Anna Karen) in January.
The 85-year-old actor, best known for his work in films such as Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, was teased to have a much bigger role than what has transpired.
Billy grew up in care from the age of ten after Stevie took sole custody of his brother Charlie and the pair last saw each other off-screen over 25 years ago.
Stevie hasn’t been seen since January
Speaking about his new role, Alan said: ‘I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age in this extremely popular television drama series.’
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: It’s an honour to welcome the immensely talented Alan Ford to the cast of EastEnders as he takes on the role of Stevie Mitchell.
‘Whilst Billy has been a stalwart in the show for over 25 years, viewers know very little about his complicated childhood and the events that led him to grow up in care.
‘Alan arrives in Walford as the Mitchell family prepare to say goodbye to their beloved Aunt Sal but it soon becomes apparent that he is not welcome in the family fold.’
At Sal’s funeral, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) spotted him from afar and later warned that he should stay away from Billy, and from the wake at Peggy’s bar.
The event was overshadowed by Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) demanding inheritance money from her brother and eventually fleeing the square after exposing his affair with Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit).
One viewer took to X/Twitter to ponder where Stevie has got to: ‘Was Alan Ford (Stevie Mitchell?) only in the one episode then or is he meant to come back?’
Over on Reddit, another asked: ‘Just wondering when he’s gonna show up again. They wouldn’t have just got an actor as big as Alan Ford to film a 30 second scene, and Clenshaw did actually say in an interview that he would become a resident of Walford.
‘I wonder why it’s taking so long for him to return? There often seems to be a lack of elderly characters in the show (as with most soaps), but I feel it’s gotten better lately.’
Another fan wondered whether he would return in upcoming scenes set at the London Marathon: ‘My guess is the Marathon episodes or Lola’s anniversary. They’ve said he’ll be back at some point so since those two will deal with Billy’s side of the family, I can only assume this is when he’ll return.’
Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) are both set to take on the challenge in upcoming scenes after Lola Pearce surprised the Mitchell’s with a video revealing that she had signed a number of family members up.
Lola sadly lost her battle with a brain tumour last year, so the characters will be running in memory of her.
However, in real life, actors Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick will actually be running the marathon, and have chosen to support their own causes close to their hearts.
