EastEnders fans left baffled after two iconic characters ‘go missing’ after Christmas Day murder episode
EASTENDERS fans are scratching their heads after two main characters have seemingly disappeared following the Christmas Day murder.
Soap fans watched open-mouthed on December 25 as Linda Carter plunged a knife into Keanu Taylor’s back as he attacked Sharon Watts in the Queen Vic.
The shocking moment brought to an end 10 months of speculation over the identities of the killer and victim in the heavily teased murder plot.
The violent scene was witnessed by Stacey Slater, Suki Kaur Panesar, Denise Fox and Kathy Beale, and the six women involved put their minds together to dispose of the body and cover up the crime.
A host of Albert Square men had been in the frame to be killed including Nish Panesar, with Jack Branning, Phil Mitchell, Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton, Dean Wicks and Ravi Gulati.
As it turned out, they were all spared, though Rocky did turn up unexpectedly at the pub half-cut just moments after the chaos unfolded.
Viewers have been baffled by the absence of two characters in particular though: Phil and Jack.
One wrote on X: “Things I’ve noticed: Jack and Phil have been completely AWOL since Xmas day.”
Another posted: “I don’t understand why Jack & Phil featured in the promo pictures leading up to the Christmas Day episode? They were nowhere near any of it!”
A third reasoned: “I’ve heard that Steve McFadden (Phil) is meant to be in Panto at the moment – that could explain the lack of screen time in the aftermath of Xmas day. We haven’t seen Jack at all since Xmas day and I’m shocked about the lack of Sharon scenes too.”
Fans needn’t worry too much as Phil will soon return alongside an acting legend.
Hollywood star Alan Ford will arrive in the Square as Stevie Mitchell, the estranged father of Billy Mitchell.
He will make his debut in the coming weeks where he is expected to come face-to-face with his long-lost relatives at Aunt Sal’s funeral.