EastEnders casts Alan Ford as Stevie Mitchell, Billy’s estranged dad

Alan Ford has joined the cast of EastEnders in the role of Billy Mitchell’s (Perry Fenwick) estranged father, Stevie.

Last year, the soap aired a special flashback episode featuring the Mitchells in 1979, with actors Dean Roberts and George Greenland playing younger versions of Stevie and Billy. However, in the current timeline, the pair haven’t seen each other for over 25 years.

Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders’ Executive Producer, said:

“It’s an honour to welcome the immensely talented Alan Ford to the cast of EastEnders as he takes on the role of Stevie Mitchell. Whilst Billy has been a stalwart in the show for over 25 years, viewers know very little about his complicated childhood and the events that led him to grow up in care.”

Billy was placed in care at the age of 10, while his brother Charlie remained with Stevie.

Stevie shows up soon after the Mitchell family find out that Aunt Sal has passed away, and it quickly becomes apparent that he is not welcome.

Ford is best known for his roles in the Guy Ritchie films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. He previously appeared in EastEnders in 1986 as an unscrupulous con man character who preyed on recently bereaved Debbie Wilkins (Shirley Cheriton).

On returning to the soap in a new role, he said:

“I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age in this extremely popular television drama series.”

The actor has already begun filming with his first scenes set to air in the New Year.

EastEnders, Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer