EastEnders star Steve McFadden tears up as he scoops first ever National Television Award for hard-hitting Phil Mitchell depression storyline

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During the recent awards ceremony, actor Steve McFadden from EastEnders emotionally accepted his very first National Television Award.

For over three decades, the 66-year-old actor, best known for portraying the unforgettable Phil Mitchell, delved into a powerful storyline about depression this year. During this series, his character contemplated suicide.

In the Serial Drama Performance category, he faced strong competition from his fellow actors such as Jacqueline Jossa and Jack P. Shepherd of Coronation Street, but ultimately emerged victorious.

Steve showed clear signs of emotion as he warmly embraced his fellow actor Jessie Wallace, who was presenting him with the award along with Michelle Ryan in a touching moment on stage.

During his speech, he expressed that on numerous occasions, he had been seated in the first row with his feet on the lowest step, yet hadn’t previously received this award. However, he found this recent development incredibly fortunate.

The actor expressed his joy and gratitude, stating that he was both moved and ecstatic. He thanked his talented, kind, beautiful, and exceptional co-stars.

In the narrative of his mental health journey, Phil grappled with depression and hallucinations, eventually contemplating suicide.

In his mental health saga, Phil faced battles against depression and psychotic experiences; he reached a point where he considered ending his life.

He gradually distanced himself from his immediate relatives and intimate companions, finding solace in coping with Sharon’s bond with his cousin Teddy, the breakdown of his matrimony with Kate, and Ben’s incarceration in the United States.

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As he worked through Sharon dating his cousin Teddy, the end of his marriage to Kate, and Ben being jailed in America, he chose to pull away from his close family and friends for support.

Over time, as his depression intensified, Phil started having intense, realistic-seeming fantasies, which made him believe, tragically, that his life had lost all value.

The narrative explores how Phil’s bouts with depression affected his loved ones, as they grappled with trying to comprehend and aid him during difficult times.

EastEnders collaborated extensively with organizations like The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to make sure that the depiction of Phil’s story was both realistic and compassionate.

At the awards ceremony, it is the British audience who will recognize and celebrate the outstanding television programs and talents they admire, as they have cast their votes for their preferred shows and performers.

This is a milestone year for the NTAs, which are celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Since the year 1995, I’ve been part of an initiative that empowers the general public to have their say in honoring exceptional television talent. Traditionally, these awards were bestowed upon winners chosen by the industry experts alone.

The event is referred to as a “festival honoring the country’s most cherished celebrities and programs.” People were given the chance to cast their votes through mail, phone calls, or online platforms.

In another location, Alison Hammond declared that “the normal state of affairs has been re-established” following This Morning receiving the Daytime Award.

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, who had been victorious in the TV Presenter category for 23 consecutive years, were this time beaten by Gary Lineker for the award.

During their 23-game winning streak last year, they acknowledged that at some point, “we won’t be able to win it next time.

This year, the competition proved to be particularly tough, as they found themselves matched against Claudia Winkleman, Alison Hammond, Stacey Solomon, and Gary.

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2025-09-11 00:03