Last night’s National Television Awards saw EastEnders come out on top in the Serial Drama category, with Phil Mitchell star Steve McFadden also picking up the award for Serial Drama Performance.
It marks his first National Television Award in his 35 years as the East End bad boy, and his co-stars and fans alike are absolutely thrilled for him.
It has been a big year for the character, who suffered loneliness and depression over the new year.
As he remained isolated from his family, Phil experienced a psychotic episode and tried to take his own life.
Thankfully, his friends and family stepped in to get him help, and he spent some time in hospital.
Since returning to Albert Square, he has been supporting best friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) through his young-onset dementia diagnosis, which has involved a lot of compromising with Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn), who isn’t Phil’s biggest fan.
Phil’s journey clearly touched a lot of people as fans voted for Steve to win the prestigious award.
Taking to Facebook, Metro readers were quick to share their congratulations, with May Noblet writing: ‘Well done fantastic actor about time.’
‘Well deserved Steve brilliant I’m so happy for you,’ Tina Price said, while Rhoda MacLeod Guest added: ‘Well done. You are a terrific actor and you delivered a wonderful performance.’
Dave Plumb thought the award was well deserved, and revealed how convincing he found Steve’s performance, admitting: ‘His acting is that good I actually thought Phil was a real person.’
The impact of the story was clearly felt, as Kian Gillis’ comment reflected: ‘The Storyline That Won Him The Award Told Us How Important It Is For Everybody To Look After Their Mental Health & Reach Out To Somebody If Either They’re Struggling Or You Are.’
After 35 years on the show, with some huge storylines including ‘Who Shot Phil?’ and Sharongate under his belt, Steve has certainly left his mark on the BBC soap.
‘EastEnders wouldn’t be EastEnders without Steve McFadden,’ Gillian Hudston pointed out, adding, ‘well done on your award you deserve it.’
‘Well done Steve, Phil Mitchell is a legend brilliant actor,’ Elizabeth Anne agreed, while Jane Driffill wrote: ‘Fab news love Steve McFadden/Phil always watched EE from very 1st episode and remember him coming into it … EE wouldn’t be same show without him.’
It wasn’t just fans of the show who shared their congratulations, with Denise Fox star Diane Parish posting a special tribute to Instagram.
‘Cannot TELL you how proud and buzzin we are for this man,’ she wrote.
‘In our 40TH year, Steve ‘The Guv’ McFadden finally gets the recognition and accolades he deserves. We love you Steve! Congrats.’
Other EastEnders stars, past and present, rushed to the comments, with Little Mo star Kacey Ainsworth writing: ‘Indeed finally !!!!’
While Tamzin Outhwaite and Lorraine Stanley, who played Mel Owen and Karen Taylor respectively, left applause emojis, and Zack Hudson star James Farrar added a love heart emoji, Stacey Slater actress Lacey Turner wrote: ‘Yesssssssssssssss.’
‘It’s been too long coming – and now finally – !!! So so deserved,’ Tanya Franks, who played Rainie Cross, agreed.
In her own post, Heather Trott icon Cheryl Fergison wrote: ‘So proud of my “Big Brov !” Now that’s how you do it ! True talent and so very well deserved.’
The man himself was ‘over the moon’ to pick up the prestigious award, which has been taken home by the likes of Danny Dyer, Lacey Turner and Katherine Kelly in the past.
In his moving speech, he gave a shoutout to his fellow nominees and expressed his shock that viewers still forgave Phil for his misdeeds over the last 35 years.
‘To even be nominated for this award, watching that VT and my fantastic colleagues on Emmerdale and Corrie is absolutely fantastic, but to win it is unbelievable. It’s absolutely amazing,’ he gushed.
‘Thank you so much. For everybody that voted for me, I truly am grateful and very, very happy to receive this award. Thank you to my fantastic cast over there. Generous, brilliant, stunning, wonderful cast. They are fantastic. Thank you to the audience for forgiving Phil Mitchell 35 years of stupidity!
‘Thank you to the producers, directors, the writers, script editors, everybody at EastEnders, you’ve been amazing to me. The crew, everyone. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys. Thank you, I really am touched and over the moon.’
It was also an historic night in other categories, with Gary Lineker taking home the award for Best Presenter, putting an end to Ant and Dec’s 23-year winning streak.
