Is Phil Mitchell about to embark on a new romance after years of being single
EastEnders viewers think they have rumbled a new romance for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) after years of leading a single life. The local mechanic’s last long-term partner was Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), whom he married in 2023 before they broke up a year later and officially divorced in June 2025.
Their separation came after Phil had a brief affair with Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit), the mother of Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) revealed their tryst during a family gathering at The Queen Vic. Kat later moved on and reunited with her ex-husband, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), while Phil is yet to find love in Walford despite being a hit with the local ladies.
Over the past three decades, Phil has had five different wives, including Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), with whom he shares son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden). He is also a father to Louise (Tilly Keeper) after welcoming his daughter with ex-girlfriend Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin), and he shares his son, Raymond, with Denise Fox (Diane Parish) after the pair had a one-night stand.
In a huge twist of fate, Phil was confirmed as the father of six-year-old son, Albie Watts, after six years of marriage to Sharon Watts, which ended in 2020. The former couple have a lot of history together, and have recently been seen getting closer again as they bond for the sake of their son.
However, EastEnders fans are convinced Phil and Sharon will not explore a romantic connection (again), and he will instead shack up with Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter), who recently arrived in Albert Square as the sister of Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington).
Earlier this week on the BBC soap, Gemma was desperate to get her car fixed before her dodgy husband Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber) found out and “went mad”. She interrupted Sharon and Phil’s lunch date at Knight Fusion to ask for his expertise in auto repairs, but he quickly fobbed her off with an unwelcome tone.
However, Phil changed his mind after he encountered Gemma again at Harry’s Barn, and he agreed to take a look at the car as she remained desperate. In a heartwarming scene, Gemma visited Phil at home as he returned the car keys and confirmed he had fixed her vehicle and didn’t require any payment, leaving her elated.
EastEnders fans are now certain they have spotted a connection between Phil and Gemma, and despite her being married to Ned, the pair will embark on a romance.
Taking to X, one EastEnders viewer predicted: “Phil and Gemma are defo going to get together aren’t they……#EastEnders”, while a second added: “Gemma and Phil are gonna sleep together aren’t they #EastEnders.”
A third predicted: “Phil and Gemma are probably gonna get together after Ned’s inevitable exit; I would much prefer this to him and Sharon reuniting, as they should just be friends #EastEnders.”
“Feel like they are deffo setting up Gemma & Phil #EastEnders,” pointed out one viewer, while another confessed: “Just putting it out there that I would not be opposed to these two becoming an item in the near future #EastEnders.”
Showing support for a possible Phil and Gemma romance, one person explained: “I definitely ship Phil & Gemma together in the future because he’s actually worked on his toxic masculinity and mental health and become a great person versus Ned who fakes being a great person and mental health advocate when he’s far from all of that! He’s a snake #EastEnders.”
