Legendary EastEnders character returns for Aunt Sal’s funeral

PHIL Mitchell is overwhelmed with grief next week as he waves a final goodbye to his aunt, the legendary Sal Martin.

However, one character will also be brought back into the fold in EastEnders as he attends Sal's emotional funeral.

After a tense Christmas which involved Phil discovering he was Albie Watts' biological father, the Mitchell clan was hit with some sad news.

Phil Mitchell (portrayed by Steve McFadden) was devastated to learn that his Aunt Sal, who was none other than his mother Peggy's sister, had passed away off-screen.

Sal was last seen in Albert Square in early 2017 and many details of her life away from Walford remained a secret.

However, Sal had been happily married to Harold Martin since 1959 and the pair shared a son and a daughter.

Coming up next week on BBC One, members of the Mitchell family pay their respects to the iconic Sal Martin in poignant funeral scenes - and actor David Sterne is reprising the role of her crushed widower, Harold Martin.

It’s the day of Aunt Sal’s funeral, and the Mitchell clan gather from far and wide for a final tribute to the late icon.

Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) worries as Phil keeps his emotions to himself while Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) attends the funeral in her place.

Elsewhere, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) gives her nephew Ben (Max Bowden) and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) their marching orders to attend.

Yet Phil isn’t convinced by her sudden interest in family, due to her scheming nature, particularly as she tried to intervene in his attempts to connect with Albie Watts.

Later, Aunt Sal’s husband, Harold, makes a rare appearance and moves the congregation, including Phil, to tears with his eulogy. 

But there's a huge twist ahead and it could cause a stir within the family, at a time they should be supporting one another.

At the wake, Sam is shocked when Harold reveals that Aunt Sal left her, and her brothers Grant and Phil £100k.

She demands the money from Phil but he categorically refuses.

In later scenes, Sam is shocked when a jealous Alfie reveals that Phil slept with Emma Harding before his wedding with Kat.

Sam later heads back to Peggy’s to blackmail Phil for the inheritance money - but will he follow her move and let himself be manipulated?

Could the brother and sister embark on a furious feud?

EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.