There’s fresh heartbreak for Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) in EastEnders next week when he discovers that his mum has passed away.
The news comes just days after estranged dad Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford) revealed that he has a secret half-brother, Teddy (Roland Manookian) and two nephews, Harry (Elijah Holloway) and Barney (Lewis Bridgeman).
Whilst initially reluctant to accept the news, after a tough heart to heart with Stevie, he went back to the Mitchell house and agreed to move forward.
In upcoming scenes, Billy decides to throw a surprise party for his dad, and explains to son Will (Freddie Phillips) that both his parents shared a birthday – but he doesn’t know his mum, Val’s whereabouts.
‘Mo is the one to remind him that it’s Stevie’s birthday’ Perry told us.
‘They haven’t had many birthdays together, and none since Billy was about eight years old. So, Billy decides to do something family-wise and quickly pulls together something at The Vic.
‘The fact it’s Stevie’s birthday also makes Billy think of his mum, who shared the same birthday as his dad. He’s thinking, “Oh wow, wherever Mum is, it’s her birthday too.”‘
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) then overhears Stevie and Teddy talking about keeping something from Billy, so employs Ritchie Scott (Sian Webber) to do some digging.
With everyone overjoyed by the celebrations, Billy makes am impromptu speech about his dad and says he wishes his mum well, wherever she is. Sadly, after heading back to No. 18, Stevie confesses that she is dead.
Perry explained: ‘They leave the party, and Phil makes Stevie tell Billy that his mum died and the circumstances surrounding her death. It’s absolutely devastating for Billy because the news she’s dead is hard enough, but there’s much more to it.’
‘Phil might argue that he’s protecting Billy, but he’s not thinking about Billy when he gets Stevie to break the news like that. For all Phil knows, it could send Billy over the edge because it’s completely screwed up everything he’s got.
‘What Billy thought he knew about his mum has been blown out of the water.’
With the whole family left reeling by the revelation, Billy rages at Phil for trying to stir the pot with his new relations and Stevie is left wondering whether he has a place in Walford anymore.
‘I’ve known and admired Alan for a long time – he’s a real-life East Ender’ Perry added, praising his on-screen dad.
‘Years ago, I saw him do a one-man show, and he’s incredibly funny, and he reminds me of my dad in real life.
‘I was thrilled to bits when they cast Alan as Stevie because, for me, there was only one actor who could play Billy’s dad and that’s Alan Ford. Throughout this whole storyline, Alan has been brilliant, and everybody loves him.’
We sincerely hope he’s convinced to stay!
