‘EastEnders’ fans are raving about Steve McFadden’s performance as Phil learned of Peggy’s death

People couldn't shower enough praise on actor Steve McFadden for his performance in last night's EastEnders, as cockney hard-man Phil Mitchell was torn apart by mum Peggy's death.

The famous Walford landlady, played by Dame Barbara Windsor, took her own life after she was given a terminal cancer diagnosis. A heartbroken Phil returned home to discover Peggy's body, and much of the episode centred around the sad news filtering through the rest of Albert Square. It was the final scene, however, that really had viewers teary-eyed, as Phil sat on a bench to read the final letter Peggy had written to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eydi3BZAwyg It read: “My darling Phil, I’m writing your letter last because it’s the hardest. “You’re probably angry with me, try not to stay angry. “This isn’t what you wanted, but one day, I hope you’ll accept my decision. “I only have one regret, I should never have asked you to help me. “It was selfish, I was scared, I was worried about being alone. "But I’m not now, and I’m not alone, and neither are you. “Phil, you’re surrounded by people who love you. “Just try to love yourself as much as they do – as I did. "'Cos, I always loved you. From the moment I first held you in my arms, my gorgeous boy – my first, best boy.” That last line might have been a bit of a slap in the face to Phil's brother Grant, but either way fans were adamant that McFadden's emotional performance was award-worthy. https://twitter.com/_JayAtkinson/status/733410007258038272 https://twitter.com/lindastudd/status/733386960333643776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/LucyLucyHH/status/733449696019140610 https://twitter.com/AdamKeith93/status/733390787531165698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/miw3663/status/733372721166471168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/emilyfleetham/status/733413379260461056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/Kieran3398/status/733408316798312448 https://twitter.com/blmaden/status/733372443960705030 https://twitter.com/Ankaman616/status/733580457455976448