’ Stevie Mitchell’s return date has been exposed by fans after his surprise exit this week. The character, played by Alan Ford, rocked up to Walford earlier this year. As the estranged father of Billy (Perry Fenwick), Stevie first appeared on screen in January for the funeral of Aunt Sal (Anna Karen).
However, he was warned by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) to stay away after having surrendered Billy into care as a child. From the age of ten, Billy grew up in care after Stevie took sole custody of his brother Charlie. The pair last saw each other off-screen over 25 years ago.
Fast forward to more recent times, and Stevie showed up again - with his secret family: son Teddy (Roland Manookian), and grandsons Harry and Barney. However, Stevie had another huge secret too. This week, Stevie finally confessed that Billy's mum Val was dead.
Billy and half-brother Teddy were stunned as Stevie revealed that his affair with Teddy's mum had broken Val to the point where she took her own life when Billy was just nine years old. Heartbroken Billy had spent his whole life believing his mother was out there somewhere after abandoning the family. Stevie then made the decision to leave Walford for good.
At Billy’s he admitted that getting to know his grandchildren had been profoundly significant to him, confessing that he would bear the guilt and shame of his actions for the rest of his life. He then expressed his pride in his sons before leaving them to reflect on his words. Stevie was .
