McFadden: 'Shirley is perfect for Phil'

Steve McFadden has hinted that his EastEnders character Phil Mitchell will stay with Shirley Carter in the long-term.

Speaking to What's On TV, the actor claimed that Shirley - played by Linda Henry - is Phil's best chance of happiness.

He explained: "Shirley’s the one person who offers Phil the opportunity to have an equal relationship with a woman."

Phil's previous girlfriends have included Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin) and evil Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson).