Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) rocky relationship and subsequent disastrous marriage made for unmissable viewing in the 1990s, and with EastEnders seemingly heading for a resurgence of the classics era with it’s many returns, could we be set to see a reunion between Phil and Kath?
Kathy and Phil began dating in 1993, and their relationship hit the rocks very early on when Phil revealed that he was already married – an unfortunate theme in Kathy’s relationships…
The pair were able to move past this, but were soon hit by the revelation of Phil’s affair with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) during their engagement party, in an episode now fondly referred to by fans as Sharongate.
Despite all of these hiccups, Kathy agreed to marry Phil, and soon fell pregnant with son Ben (now played by Max Bowden).
Following his son’s birth, Phil turned to alcohol and became violent, causing Kathy to leave him until he got his life back on track.
Having agreed to attend counselling, Kathy took him back, but was left devastated to discover hat he had been having another affair with fellow alcoholic Lorna.
Despite the turmoil of their relationship, which ended in divorce, it was Phil that Kathy turned to for help as she tried to escape abusive husband Gavin Sullivan after he had forced her to fake her own death.
With Phil’s help, she was able to return to Albert Square and reunite with her family, including son Ben and Ian (Adam Woodyatt).
With so much history behind them, could Phil and Kathy ever reunite in the future? Actress Gillian Taylforth has a very definitive answer.
‘Ooh no! Not back with Phil.’
Sorry to any Kathy and Phil fans out there, but the legend herself has spoken.
‘I think that boat has sailed completely,’ she explained.
With Kathy set to marry Rocky Cotton (Brian Conley), Gillian believes that there is no one else on the Square at the moment better suited to Kathy. Other than perhaps one character, that is…
‘I do think that her and Rocky are very well suited. I really do. Kathy likes a laugh anyway, as well as I do, but she likes a laugh and Rocky keeps her happy. I don’t think there’s anyone else…
‘Well, I suppose Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) is quite funny. But he’s totally, devastatingly in love with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), so that’s that one.
‘But no, I think Rocky is the one for her and I think that’s what she thinks. He’s just a lovely guy. Apart from his lies! [Laughs].’
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