Ian gets dunked as Phil runs loo-se

Phil Mitchell is back in the Square and back to his old tricks - levelling a few old scores with his rivals.

11:51 04 April 2005

Phil Mitchell is back in the Square and back to his old tricks - levelling a few old scores with his rivals.

The on-the-run EastEnders hardman makes his reappearance in Walford later this month and archrival Ian Beale is one of the first to know about it.

Phil, played by Steve McFadden, has managed to break free from prison, where he is doing time for armed robbery, and is back in the area looking for cash.

He arrives at the house of Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, and demands his long-time enemy give him money, before shoving his head down the toilet.

But things turn bad for Phil, the Sun reports, when the police come searching for their escaped prisoner and set him panicking.

In a moment of madness, Phil takes Ian's daughter Lucy hostage and make his escape down to his former garage, the Arches.

Phil is one of a number of former Albert Square stars returning to their former haunts as the BBC desperately attempt to boost their ratings.

The long-running soap has lost ground to ITV rivals Emmerdale and Coronation Street in recent months, resulting in a number of changes to cast and senior staff personnel.

Phil's mum Peggy and mouthy Slater sister Kat have also been brought back after periods off our screens.