'Hardman Phil' plans to take a break

Eastenders’ actor Steve McFadden is taking a break from the soap, it emerged today.

The star plans to leave the show in the autumn but his Albert Square character, Phil Mitchell, will not be killed off by BBC bosses.

Instead, father of two McFadden, 43, who has been in the soap for more than a decade, will have a year out to take up other roles in TV dramas and then return to Walford as the soap’s favourite hardman next year.

He told The Sun: “After 12 years in Walford it is time for Phil Mitchell to take a break.

“I’m going to stick my mechanic’s overalls in a locker while I take a look at a few other projects.”

Louise Berridge, executive producer of the soap, said: “Steve McFadden is one of television’s most talented and versatile actors and we are very happy to support him in his desire to try out other roles.

“I look forward to welcoming him back to Albert Square in 2004.”

McFadden joined Eastenders in January 1990, as one of the hardmen Mitchell brothers along with his brother Grant, played by Ross Kemp.

They quickly became two of the soap’s most popular characters and were involved in some explosive story lines.

But just how Phil disappears from Walford for a year will be a closely guarded secret.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We never talk about the plots because we don’t want to spoil it for the viewers.”