EastEnders confirms Hollywood legend is joining cast of BBC soap – and it will be a nasty shock for a Walford resident
EASTENDERS has confirmed Hollywood actor Alan Ford will be officially joining the London-based soap and he already has some surprising connections to the Mitchell family.
The Sun were the first to report earlier this year that Alan had been lined up to join the cast and had been spotted filming scenes for the funeral of Aunt Sal, played by Anna Karen.
Now his character has been uncovered with the BBC revealing that he will be playing the estranged father of Billy Mitchell, played by Perry Fenwick.
He will make his debut as Stevie Mitchell in the coming weeks where he is expected to come face-to-face with his long-lost relatives at Aunt Sal’s funeral.
Billy has not seen Stevie for over 25 years after his father opted to bring up solely his brother, Charlie, with Billy being in the care system from the age of 10.
Upon his debut in Walford, it will be made clear that his presence is not welcomed and the Mitchell family will be forced to deal with his shock reappearance.
Commenting on taking on the role, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Alan said: “I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age in this extremely popular television drama series.”
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw went on to say of Alan’s casting and the character of Stevie: “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.”
Having appeared opposite the likes of Brad Pitt before, Alan will be swapping Hollywood for Walford when the sister of Peggy Mitchell will be given a huge send-off by her family in upcoming scenes.
A source previously revealed to The Sun: “Alan’s a great signing by bosses.
“He’s a huge star who fans will be delighted to see on the soap. His character has a long connection to the Mitchells.”
Cockney actor Alan has previously starred in the soap.
Back in 1986 he made an appearance in one episode of the then fledgling show as a conman called Sam Sangers.
Dodgy Sam planned to con Debbie Wilkins out of her deceased boyfriend, Andy’s belongings but found himself up against the formidable Pauline Fowler who sent him on his way.
Sal was last seen in Walford during Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell’s funeral in 2017 where she berated their mother Glenda for abandoning them as children.
Since then she has been mentioned on-screen with Phil said to have been hiding in her holiday home last year when he was on the run from the police.
However last year in real life Aunt Sal actress Anna Karen died during a house fire at her home in Ilford, London.