Over the last few weeks there has been a very interesting and very intriguing storyline regarding Phil Mitchell and his problems with the past. This is a character who has been involved in all kinds of illegal activities from drugs to guns, from illegal cars to insurance scams and more. But is Phil Mitchell about to get his comeuppance and end up in prison?

It would appear at the moment that Phil is heading towards a very long prison sentence after his son Ben undertook a concerted campaign against him which certainly took its toll on Phil’s mind. It was only the quickwitted Shirley who noticed that Ben seemed to know more information than he should have and she confronted him. He eventually broke down and confirmed to Shirley that he was behind the various blackmail stunts and anonymous letters and accusations. But has Ben finally put his dad in prison?

The recording of Phil admitting to selling an illegal car to Kevin some time ago appeared in Denise’s Christmas pile of presents and was certainly one of her most unwelcome gifts. There was always speculation that Kevin had died from something which was not an accident and many people seem to have been aware of the cut-and-shut vehicle scam which eventually led to Kevin’s death. Indeed even Pat had begged Denise not to go to the police because she had been aware of the underlying problems and storyline.

However, the police have certainly been waiting to get Phil for many years now and he has escaped conviction on numerous occasions. It would appear that many of the characters in Albert Square will be interviewed by the police to see who knows what and what actually happened. Whether or not those who are fully aware of the illegal activities Kevin and Phil were involved in will actually spill the beans remains to be seen because this is London and this is Eastenders!

Despite the fact this storyline regarding the blackmailing of Phil has been ongoing for some time now there has been no speculation in the press regarding a potential jail term for Phil Mitchell. Indeed there have not been any rumours that the actor himself is looking to leave the show so we can only assume that somehow Phil escapes yet another conviction. Quite how he will do this remains to be seen because the evidence a stacking up against him and it looks more and more convincing.

What will happen to Ben?

Ben Mitchell has been in and out of the show for many years now and indeed there has been more than one actor playing the character. Shirley has asked Ben, well literally told him, to leave the house before Phil returns, but will he eventually leave?

While Ben Mitchell has been involved in some very interesting storylines of late it may well be that the producers have run their course with this character and he really will ride off into the sunset and leave the show. However, he is part of a younger crowd on Eastenders who have attracted the attention of younger fans and this may well be a risky move by the producers.