When Shirley (Linda Henry) heads back to Albert Square, she is shocked to hear that Phil and Sharon are pretending to be a couple to secure custody of Lola Pearce's baby daughter Lexi.
As reported last week, Shirley immediately opposes Phil's plans, especially when she learns that Ben is Lexi's father.
Fearing that Phil (Steve McFadden) just wants full control over Lexi's future and doesn't have Lola's best interests at heart, Shirley vows that she won't let her ex-partner get his own way this time.
© BBC
© BBC
Sharon's boyfriend Jack Branning also stirs things with Phil by making a thinly-veiled threat, telling him that social services will discover the truth sooner or later even if Shirley doesn't spill the beans.
With Shirley and Jack's warnings ringing in his ears, Phil fears the worst when the foster worker Dave suddenly decides to make a spot visit to the Mitchell house.
Wrongly jumping to the conclusion that someone has grassed him up, Phil struggles to keep his cool and ends up telling Dave that he and Sharon have called off their engagement.
Phil adds that Sharon still wants to be a part of Lexi's life, but Dave explains that the entire application will now have to be reassessed.
© BBC
Speaking to Sharon in private, Phil insists that he made the right decision as the truth was bound to come out eventually. But has he just ruined his best chance of helping Lola and getting Lexi back?
EastEnders airs these scenes next week on BBC One.
