In an upcoming episode, Phil (played by Steve McFadden) will be left stunned when he returns home to find Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) waiting for him.
With his son Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) missing, Phil quickly realises Mel may have information – but what does she know?
However, as loyal soap fans will remember, Mel was last seen in Walford fleeing to Portugal.
Pregnant at the time, Mel’s son will also make his first appearance in the coming weeks.
Mel “stole” £30,000 from Phil before her exit in 2002. Could she offer Phil information on the basis that the £30,000 debt is written off for good?
Framed by new husband Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) for drug smuggling, it came down to Phil to offer up the bail money.
Mel was arrested for drug connections after Steve’s death, prompting Phil to bail her out with £30,000 after he discovered that she was pregnant.
Heavily in debt to Phil, Mel regained the upper hand when she discovered that Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin) was responsible for shooting Phil, and not Steve.
Mel fled overseas, ensuring that Phil never saw his £30,000 again.
Speaking about her 2002 departure, Tamzin previously explained: “I’m not sure what was left for Mel to do after she had been kidnapped, married twice, burnt down a club and slept with her best friend’s husband.”
Now that Mel has made herself a connection to Ben’s heist money, will Phil and Mel attempt to blackmail the other over money?
It comes after Mel was seen in Kathy’s Cafe talking to her former husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).
Ian seemed to attempt to rekindle their once turbulent relationship by asking Mel if she wanted to get a drink, or go for a bite to eat while she’s back in Walford.
During the conversation Mel’s eyes darted towards the diamond necklace that Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) was given by Ben, saying: “That’s a lovely necklace, by the way.”
Kathy immediately downplayed the subject, replying: “Thank you, just a bit of costume jewellery. But it is pretty, yeah.”
Ben has since gone missing, but how much of a part has Mel played in it all?
Will Phil hold a grudge and clash with Mel, and will he ever see his £30,000 again?
EastEnders continues tomorrow on BBC One at 8pm.
