EastEnders is gearing up for another gritty Christmas episode which will see a major character battle with their mental health. 

One of the soap’s longest-appearing stars, Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, 65, will be trying to cope with depression and suicidal thoughts in the festive installment of the BBC show. 

Phil’s struggling mental health comes after his life has fallen apart after being abandoned by his family. 

The character’s son Ben is in a prison in the US while his daughter Louise lives in Portugal and his former wife Kat Slater has moved on and is loved up with Alfie Moon.

As the festive period goes on, viewers will see Phil deteriorate as he tries to cope with thoughts of ending his own life according to The Sun.

And Phil’s difficult time is just the latest in a long list of harrowing Christmas festive plots in Walford.

EastEnders is gearing up for another gritty Christmas episode which will see a major character battle with their mental health

One of the soap’s stars, Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden , 65, will be trying to cope with depression and suicidal thoughts in the festive installment of the BBC show

Phil’s struggling mental health comes after his life has fallen apart after being abandoned by his family including ex Kath Slater who is now with Alfie Moon (pictured right)

in 1986m 30million people tuned in to watch Arthur Fowler have a nervous breakdown and destroy his own home.

Twenty years later Arthur’s wife Pauline collapsed and died from a brain haemorrhage and then in 2009 Archie Mitchell was killed. 

The character, played by Larry Lamb was smashed in the head during a fatal fight  in the Queen Vic which then sparked a mystery plot to fond out who had done it.

Phil’s battle with depression comes after he overcame in previous years, his alcohol nd crack cocaine addictions as well as recovering from being sH๏τ twice.

The timing of Phil’s struggles coincides with the soap’s 40th anniversary. 

Phil’s plotline comes after the bombshell Christmas plot was revealed after a star accidentally left their script on a train.

According to The Sun, the scripts have now been returned to Albert Square after a pᴀssenger found them on the Thameslink train at Elstree & Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire in the early morning of October 31.  

Labelled ‘rehearsal scripts’, the papers revealed a key character will be killed off this Christmas in a shocking plot twist.

And Phil’s difficult time is just the latest in a long list of harrowing Christmas festive plots in Walford (pictured Martin Fowler Sharon Watts and Ruby Allen)

In 2006 Arthur Fowler’s wife Pauline (pictured) collapsed and died from a brain haemorrhage 

In 2009 Archie Mitchell, played by Larry Lamb (centre) was killed sparking a hunt for the murderer 

After finding the papers, the pᴀssenger’s wife told the publication: ‘There’s a real twist that will shock everyone and a main character is killed off. It’s an incredible storyline.’

She added: ‘The script was clearly owned by an actress in EastEnders because her lines were highlighted and there were Post-it notes with scribbled writing stuck to the pages.

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‘There was also a page with the actress’s filming schedule written in pencil. We desperately wanted to get the script back to her.’

While they have not revealed the name of the actress, the pᴀssenger’s wife explained they messaged her on Instagram to tell her they had found the script, but received no response.

After four days she went to The Sun for ᴀssistance who then returned the scripts to Albert Square, much to the relief of soap bosses.

The front of the script named the entire production team alongside the dates for production.

The filming for two episodes in the script ran from October 14 to November 1, while the third ran from November 4 to 15.

Phil’s plotline comes after the bombshell Christmas plot was revealed after a star accidentally left their script on a train 

As production usually runs around six to eight weeks ahead of transmission, it seems likely that some of the scripted scenes will be aired over Christmas.

An EastEnders spokeswoman told The Sun: ‘A big thank you to The Sun for the safe return of our festive scripts.

‘We know just how much the audience loves watching the drama unfold for themselves, rather than having it spoilt — so our surprises will remain a treat this Christmas and beyond.’

MailOnline have contacted EastEnders representatives for comment.