When I first watched Eastenders back in 1985 I was always dishearted that those nefarious Mitchell Brothers always seemed to get the better of poor young (back then) Ian. I can easily bring to mind an image of Ian hobbling with his crutch down a lane to a country house. Ha, the poor waif that he was. It seems evil reigned triumphant and the Phil and Grant Mitchell were its main ambassadors.

Since then the lines of good and evil on EE have quite blurred. Perhaps Grant Mitchell remains a resolute bad guy. Writers and producers always seem to bring Grant back when violence is required. We won’t forget that Grant beat his then wife Sharon Watts on a regular basis. But didn’t Grant bond with Johnny Allen’s daughter Ruby and as a consequence allow Allen’s escape from death? Did he not truly love Jane Collins?

And brother Phil… a mug and a thug if there was one. Phil played a heinous hearted Miss Haversham (Dickens) paying Juley Smith to seduce Ruby Allen with the design of breaking her heart. Phil has been party to his share of violence as well. He treated Lisa Shaw no better than Grant did Sharon. But… Phil does truly love his daughter Louise and seems endlessly patient with cousin Billy. Phil’s loyalty to Sonia Jackson after the death of Jamie Mitchell and carrying forward to the present is perhaps the most touching relationship in the history of Eastenders.

So what of these two ersatz villains? Do you choose to hate them or admit you love them at least a little? One thing is certain Albert Square would be dull without them. Post your thoughts.