EastEnders say an emotional goodbye to Peggy Mitchell as fans praise Steve McFadden for heartbreaking performance
Viewers took to Twitter to say actor "deserved an Oscar" for his performance as Peggy's distraught son Phil
RESIDENTS of Albert Square paid a heartbreaking farewell to the Queen of the Vic Peggy Mitchell on Monday night's Eastenders.
However, as fans prepared to say goodbye to the long-time resident, it was Steve McFadden's performance as devastated son Phil Mitchell that truly stole the show.
As Peggy, who was played for fourteen years by Dame Barbara Windsor, was laid to rest, Phil struggled with making his eulogy at the funeral.
He said: "This wasn't mum - prayers and hymns and stuff.
"I know you were waiting for me to say what a great mum she was but..." and is then forced to leave the church.
However, after a pep talk from past squeeze Sharon, revealing details from his past, Phil gathers up the courage to make his speech in the most fitting place - Peggy's beloved pub, The Queen Vic.
He said: "Mum always said there was two rules for being a Mitchell. Number one - you never grass anyone up, and number two you..you never apologise.
"Well it turns out that mum grassed for the best of reasons, and now I've apologised.
"So where did that leave us? Here I suppose. In the Queen Vic. Where mum was Queen."
He then added: "I see her now looking down on all of you and saying what a miserable bunch you all are. Where's the champagne? Where's the dancing? Where's the music?
Phil then caps off the positive reflection: "And if ain't gonna celebrate my life...then you can get outta my pub!"
Fan's flooded Twitter in their droves with overwhelming praise to Steve McFadden's work in the emotional scenes, with one saying; "Steve McFadden. What more can we all say? Immense as always, best actor in 'Enders history #eastenders"
Another wrote: "Oh don't mind me, just crying over #Eastenders again... PLEASE give #SteveMcFadden ALL of the awards. Fantastic actor."
Viewers were left in shock back in May as Peggy Mitchell decided to take an overdose of pills instead of waiting for her terminal cancer to beat her.
Her final episode featured just her with long-lost friend and adversary Pat, with a surprise appearance from Pam St. Clements, who reprised her role despite her character passing a way several years ago.
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