A Hollywood star turned EastEnders patriarch has made a dramatic exit from the soap six months after his harrowing storyline began.
EastEnders has aired the final scene featuring Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford), who plays the neglectful father of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).
Alan, 86, has appeared in several films for billionaire director Guy Ritchie, including the crime comedy Snatch (2000).
In Thursday’s episode, now on BBC iPlayer, Alan leaves the square in a black cab after being rejected by his children.
In April, Stevie arrived on the square to develop a relationship with Billy, followed by Billy’s much younger half-brother Teddy (Roland Manookian).
EastEnders has aired the final scene for Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford), the neglectful father of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) – both pictured
Alan has appeared in several films by billion-dollar producer Guy Ritchie, most notably the crime comedy Snatch (2000)
However, Billy made it clear to Stevie that he didn’t want him around and Teddy suggested that he leave. Stevie made plans to do so.
Stevie’s departure will have a devastating effect on Billy’s children Janet Mitchell (Grace) and Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips).
This happened after Stevie finally admitted that he had placed Billy in foster care because he looked too much like his deceased mother.
Stevie also left his first child, son Charlie, with a relative, but when Teddy was born years later, Stevie lived with him.
Before Stevie leaves, he asks Billy to say goodbye to his grandchildren, but Billy is cold and refuses.
Despite this, Billy cries when he realizes Stevie is gone, leaving behind only a black-and-white photo of him, Billy, and Charlie on a beach in 1960—and tens of thousands of pounds of weight.
The money comes from Stevie’s arch-enemy Phil Mitchell’s Range Rover, which Stevie had given to his new flame Big Mo to sell.
Stevie leaves in a black cab and watches with pleasure as Phil angrily talks to the police officers about his missing car.
In Thursday’s episode – available to watch now on BBC iPlayer – Alan leaves the square in a black cab after being rejected by his children
In April, Stevie arrived on the square to try to build a relationship with Billy, and he was followed by Billy’s much younger half-brother Teddy (Roland Manookian, pictured)
Stevie’s departure will have a devastating effect on Billy’s children Janet Mitchell (Grace) and Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips, pictured)
It comes after Stevie finally admitted that he placed Billy in foster care because he looked too much like his late mother
Despite this, Billy cries when he realises Stevie has disappeared, leaving behind only a black and white photo of himself, Billy and Charlie on a beach in 1960 – and tens of thousands of pounds
The money comes from Stevie’s arch-nemesis Phil Mitchell’s Range Rover, which Stevie had given to his new flame Big Mo to sell
Stevie leaves in a black cab and watches with amusement as Phil angrily talks to police officers about his missing car
Stevie first appeared in EastEnders in April when he attended Aunt Sal’s funeral, but Phil chased him away
Alan’s arrival in Walford was confirmed in December 2023.
Speaking about joining the cast of EastEnders, Alan said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing a character who is around my age in this hugely popular television drama series.’
Besides Snatch, Alan also starred in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Exorcist: The Beginning.
He also appeared as separate characters in eight episodes of The Bill and has performed on stage several times.