UK soaps have created some of the most memorable families, but arguably none are as iconic as the Mitchell’s who have been a part of EastEnders for decades.
First introduced in February 1990, brothers Phil and Grant arrived in Albert Square and purchased The Arches.
Their sister Sam, originally played by Danniella Westbrook before she was replaced by Kim Medcalf, was introduced later in 1990, followed by matriarch Peggy shortly after in 1991, with the role recast to Barbara Windsor in 2004.
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The Mitchells have been the core part of some of the soap’s most memorable storylines, including ‘Who Shot Phil?’, ‘Who Killed Archie?’ and “Queen Vic Fire Week’.
As Grant Mitchell star Ross Kemp turns 59 today (July 21), Daily Star has looked at what happened to the stars who bid farewell to Walford.
Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor)
(Image: BBC)
Arguably one of the most iconic characters to ever walk the square, Peggy Mitchell was first portrayed by Jo Warne for 10 episodes in 1991.
When the character returned in 1994, the role was recast to Barbara Windsor and the show’s matriarch became a beloved member of the soap.
Peggy was a regular on the square until 2010, later returning for guest appearances in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)
The character’s final scenes aired in 2017, with the return of her breast cancer leading to her suicide.
Barbara lived an eventful life off-screen, walking down the aisle three times in her life.
She had an incredible career outside of the soap, starring in nine Carry On films prior to landing the role of Peggy.
The actress also leant her voiced the character of Mallymkyn, the Dormouse in Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016).
(Image: BBC)
At the time Barbara said goodbye to Albert Square for good, what fans didn’t know was that she was battling Alzheimer’s disease and was yet to go public with her devastating diagnosis.
Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell, who she married in 2000, went public with her illness in 2018 following rumours of her deteriorating health.
In December 2020, the soap icon lost her battle with the disease and passed away aged 83.
Sam Mitchell (Daniella Westbrook)
(Image: PA)
Daniella was just 11 years old when she appeared as an extra in EastEnders, where she could be seen roller skating across Albert Square.
In 1990 she then bagged the role of Phil and Grant’s younger sister Sam, and although she left the soap for another role in 1993, she returned before being written out of the soap in 1996 following her cocaine use.
She was asked back a third time in 1999 before being axed again, meaning Kim Medcalf was cast in the role of Sam instead.
But Daniella did return once more as Sam for temporary stints between 2009 and 2016.
Earlier this year, she was left traumatised after a surgeon reportedly cut open her face and slapped and screamed at her after she begged him to stop.
(Image: daniellawestbrook/Instagram)
She had jetted off to Turkey for what she believed would be filler and Botox to try and mend her broken face, but she claims the surgeon performed a thread lift, used to sculpt the face, without her consent.
Daniella claims she had no idea they would be cutting into her.
She told The Sun: “The Sun: “I’m sat there going, ‘Hey, hey, hey what are you doing? I can feel that.’ F***ing hell it was painful, a hot laser through my skin.”
The actress’ previous cocaine and alcohol addiction led to the collapse of her septum and damaged cheekbones.
Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp)
(Image: BBC)
After almost a decade of playing Grant, Ross Kemp bid farewell to the soap in 1999.
According to The Guardian, he reportedly quit the role in favour of a £1m deal with ITV.
Six years after his exit, the BBC confirmed that he would be returning to the soap and it was his on-screen mum Barbara Windsor who convinced him to make the comeback.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
He reprised the role once again in 2006, before returning for various guest stints in 2016 involving Peggy’s exit and Ben’s abduction.
He went on present several documentaries, including BAFTA award-winning series Ross Kemp on Gangs, as well as Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, Ross Kemp: Battle for the Amazon and Ross Kemp: Extreme World, all broadcast on Sky 1.
The dad-of-four made his return to acting, starring as washed-up police detective Tony in Channel 5’s new thriller Blindspot which premiered earlier this month.
(Image: PA)
The former soap star tied the knot with journalist Rebekah Wade in 2002, but sadly the couple divorced in 2009.
After their split, Ross welcomed his first son with his ex-partner; former makeup artist Nicole Coleman.
He has been happily married to Australian-born Renee O’Brien since 2012 and the couple share three children; a son named Leo and twin girls Ava and Kitty.
Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb)
(Image: BBC)
Larry Lamb joined the cast of EastEnders as evil Archie Mitchell in 2008 and went on to become one of the soap’s most iconic villains.
He was the show’s main antagonist until he was killed off in a famous whodunnit on Christmas Day in 2009.
Prior to EastEnders, the actor was already well known to UK fans thanks to his portrayal of Mick Shipman in British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, which first aired in 2007.
(Image: BBC)
The 75-year-old has numerous acting credits to his name, including roles in TV series such as Casualty, The Bill, Midsomer Murders and Spooks.
In 2013, Larry began presenting a regular Sunday morning radio show on LBC and headed down under three years later when he appeared on the sixteenth series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
Larry has been married three times and has four children, including TV and radio presenter George Lamb, 43, who he shares with second wife Linda Martin.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
His eldest child Vanessa was born in 1969 from his first marriage to Anita Wisbey, however he only saw her once when she was just seven months old.
Speaking just after leaving the jungle, Larry said: “The relationship I had at 21 broke down before my daughter was born. Her mother subsequently remarried and I felt it was not by place to interfere with all their lives.
“But I have to say if my daughter or my granddaughter were to contact me, I and all my extended family would be thrilled. That’s it.”
The former soap star is also dad to Eva and Eloise from his relationship with ex-partner Clare Burt.
Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack)
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
Turning up to Albert Square for Phil Mitchell’s wedding in 2007, Ronnie Mitchell became an instant hit with fans right up until her tragic death in 2017.
Five years after her exit, actress Samantha Womack revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Thankfully, the former soap star confirmed she was cancer free five months after her she was diagnosed.
Although the 50-year-old is best known for her role as Ronnie, the actress has enjoyed huge success away from the soap.
At the age of 18 in 1991, she represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song A Message to Your Heart, finishing joint tenth with Ireland.
She then turned her talents to acting, portraying roles in British sitcoms Game on (1995) and Babes in the Wood (1998) as well as BBC One drama Pie in the Sky (1995).
(Image: Youtube / BBC)
While on EastEnders, she played Tanya Porter in Sky One comedy-drama Mount Pleasant from 2013 until 2017 as well as Taron Egerton’s on-screen mum in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015).
The singer has also built up an illustrious career on stage, touring across the United Kingdom in numerous stage productions.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Samantha was married to actor Mark Womack, best known for playing DI Mark Malone in Emmerdale, from 2009 until 2018 and they welcomed two children during their marriage.
Scott Maslen, who played her on-screen husband Jack Branning, is godfather to both of her children, while Samantha is godmother to Scott’s son, Zak.
Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons)
(Image: BBC)
Arriving alongside her back in 2007, Ronnie and Roxy became an iconic duo and left fans devastated when they drowned on New Year’s Day in 2017.
Before kicking off a career in acting, the 46-year-old was a member of five-piece band Girls@Play from 2000 until 2001.
Prior to landing the role of Roxy, Rita made appearances in Sky 1 dramas Dream Team (2002) and Mile High (2003) as well as ITV drama London’s Burning.
(Image: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock)
Like her on-screen sister and best friend Samantha Womack, the former soap star embarked on a career in theatre, starring in the UK tour of Legally Blonde: the Musical in 2017 and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in 2019.
Following in her on-screen dad’s footsteps, Rita swapped the UK for the Australian jungle when she appeared on I’m A Celeb in 2018.
The actress has always been open about her health battles, struggling with anxiety, OCD and depression throughout her life.
(Image: @rita_simonsofficial/Instagram)
Earlier this year, the blonde beauty revealed she underwent a hysterectomy after years of suffering from “debilitating” periods.
Rita shares twin daughters Maiya and Jaimee, 17, with ex-husband Theo Silveston who she divorced in 2018 after 14 years of marriage.
Maiya was diagnosed with hearing loss at six months old and underwent a cochlear implant at the age of six.
Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper)
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
The daughter of Phil Mitchell has been played by four different actors since her on-screen birth in 2001, with Tilly Keeper the most recent star taking on the role in 2016 until 2020.
Her career began years before landing the part of Louise, with the 25-year-old making appearance in various TV adverts.
She made her stage debut in a production of Dick Whittington and later starred in Oliver in 2009.
(Image: © 2022 Netflix, Inc.)
The same year her final scenes aired in EastEnders, Tilly appeared as Helen Cott in BBC Three film Make Me Famous and co-starred in short film True Colours one year later.
In 2023, Tilly gained worldwide recognition after making her Netflix debut as Lady Phoebe in the fourth series You, opposite Penn Badgley.
The actress is set to star in Channel 4 series Queenie as main cast member Darcy.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
