EastEnders Storyline Odds: Ross Kemp Odds-On For Walford Return
It wouldn't be Soapland without the odd bleak Christmas storyline.
EastEnders viewers look set to be treated to one over the festive period, following reports that legendary character Phil Mitchell is to battle illness around Christmas.
According to The Sun on Sunday newspaper, Albert Square mainstay Phil - who is played by Steve McFadden - is in for a tough Christmas period and this has sparked speculation on betting sites about the actor's future on the BBC One soap.
Steve To Leave?
EastEnders gangster Phil is no stranger to being in a spot of bother in Albert Square.
Ever since the now-iconic character was introduced to the soap in February 1990, he's regularly been up to no good, which has landed him in many a sticky situation, including being shot twice.
Mitchell has also battled drink and crack cocaine addictions and it sounds like his latest hard-hitting plot might last until at least the show's 40th anniversary in February.
Steve McFadden To Take EastEnders Break In 2025 Odds
No | 4/5 | 55.6% |
Yes | 5/4 | 44.4% |
It wouldn't be a surprise if the star had a bit of downtime from the soap after such a tough storyline and he is 5/4 on UK betting sites sites to take a break from Walford at some point next year.
Reports that Phil will be ill over the festive period might spark fear into some die-hard EastEnders' fans.
The mischievous mechanic isn't getting any younger and he's had a lot to deal with over the years.
It would be some 40th anniversary storyline if Phil was to meet his maker next year, but that looks unlikely.
Steve is 3/1 to depart the soap permanently in 2025, but he's 1/3 to stick around in his 35th year in Albert Square.
Steve McFadden To Leave EastEnders Permanently In 2025 Odds
No | 1/3 | 75% |
Yes | 3/1 | 25% |
Returning Hero Grant
If Phil manages to make it through the Christmas period to the soap's 40th anniversary in February then he may need a saviour and that could well come in the shape of his brother - Grant Mitchell.
Grant hasn't been seen in the Square since 2016, but Ross Kemp - who has played the character on and off since 1990 - is just 8/15 to make a hero's return early next year.
A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Could Grant be the one to save him? It’d be a ratings hit."
Ross recently dropped a huge hint he could be back for the show's 40th anniversary.
Speaking on This Morning, he said: "I can tell you nothing. I am very proud that the show is celebrating 40 years and I wouldn't have had a career good or bad without it.
Which Actors Will Return For EastEnders' 40 Anniversary Odds
Actor | Odds | Probability |
Ross Kemp | 8/15 | 65.2% |
Danny Dyer | 4/6 | 60% |
Pam St Clement | Evens | 50% |
Sue Tully | 6/4 | 40% |
Jake Wood | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Michelle Ryan | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Dean Gaffney | 3/1 | 25% |
Joe Swash | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Linda Henry | 4/1 | 20% |
Mimi Keene | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Tom Watt | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Tilly Keeper | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Kacey Ainsworth | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Annette Badland | 10/1 | 9.1% |
"I still love it, I still support every way that I can.
"I'm very proud its celebrating 40 years. I would support it in every way I can ... I can say no more than that."
BBC bosses have already confirmed the show will go live once again to mark the milestone, so they will need some big plots and several former EastEnders faces recently reprised their roles in Albert Square.
Tracy-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), Michael French (David Wicks) and Louisa Lytton (Ruby Allen) all recently returned to Walford, sparking speculation there are more to come.
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Danny Back From The Dead
Danny Dyer is just 4/6 on betting apps to make an EastEnders comeback for the 40th anniversary.
The actor portrayed loveable Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter from 2013 to 2022, but Mick was last seen diving into the sea, with his body yet to be found.
While the character is assumed dead, a key rule in Soapland is if a dead body isn't seen on screen then the character isn't brown bread, as they say in EastEnders.
Despite this, Danny has since insisted that Mick has in fact passed away, but that won't necessarily stop him from making a 40th anniversary return.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
He told Heat magazine: "Look, I take it as a compliment that people want me to go back. Who knows? If there’s no closure there, then maybe I would come back for a dream sequence. I don’t think Mick could just rock up covered in seaweed!
"I think if they did it right, with the 40th anniversary coming up, if they came up with an idea of maybe Linda drunk or hallucinating, then I would come back and do some scenes with her."
Another fantastic way of marking the 40th anniversary would be to bring the likes of Pam St Clement back to Walford as iconic character Pat Butcher.
Pam - who played Pat from 1986 to 2012, and again for a short stint in 2016 - is Evens to return to Albert Square next year, while Sue Tully, who played Michelle Fowler from 1985 to 1995, is 6/4 for comeback and Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater) is a 5/2 chance.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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