Strangely irresistible Phil seduces Dawn in EastEnders

Jul 5 2009 by Roz Laws, Sunday Mercury

I’VE said it before and I’ll say it again. What on earth is the strange power that Phil Mitchell holds over the women of Albert Square?

Personally I can’t see anything attractive about this thug, who’s forever showing us his failings, from addiction to alcohol to letting down his son Ben.

Yet still the women fall at his feet. His latest conquest is Dawn, who really ought to have her head tested. She’s got lovely Garry at home, who she’s surely hurt enough in the past, yet she can’t help playing away with one of his best friends. How disloyal is that?

Minty has discovered their secret and doesn’t know whether to break Garry’s heart or not by telling him.

While he dithers, Garry nearly finds out by himself when he turns up at the Vic to surprise his girlfriend, only to surprise her in a state of undress having just done the deed with Phil.

They just get away with it, hastily putting their clothes on and Dawn hides behind the door while Phil talks to her boyfriend.

Dump him now, Dawn, you know it will only end in tears!

Phil should really be with Shirley, though even she’s too nice for him. This week she is more concerned about Heather’s well-being. She rushes to the hospital when she discovers Hev has an appointment there, and is stunned to find her friend in the ante-natal ward. Hev admits she’s pregnant but is angered when Shirley refers to the baby as a mistake, trying to persuade Heather to have an abortion or an adoption. She walks out of the flat, at which point Shirley changes her mind and promises to support her friend through the difficult times ahead.

Of course she asks the question we all want to know the answer to – who’s the daddy? Heather denies that it’s Minty, but that doesn’t stop Shirley punching him!

At least Minty has a good week in one respect – he’s delighted when Manda says she thought he didn’t fancy her rather than the other way round, and he passionately kisses her.

The other big news of the week is Archie’s return. Peggy gets a huge shock when the burglar alarm goes off and her evil husband appears on the stairs. He claims to be a changed man who still loves Peggy and is desperate to see his daughters again. He won’t be put off by threats from Phil and he’s encouraged by Roxy, who’s still on his side. In fact, he’s so determined to get back what he lost that he’s rented a house on the Square.

Roxy also wants another man in her life – Jack. With Ronnie off the scene, she tries everything to get her hands on him again, even spilling some food down his shirt.

Jordan tells Lucas and Denise that he wants to live with his mum, Trina. Don’t blame you, lad, get out of depressing Walford while you can!

Plus, Bradley’s really come down in the world – his latest job is as R&R’s cloakroom attendant.