Phil Mitchell

It's a reflection of his ability to cover his tracks, silence witnesses, and of his trusted briefs' knowledge of legal loopholes that Phil's only been in prison a few times. But though he's untouchable as the guvnor of Albert Square, he does have an Achilles heel - faaaamily.

• Football team: Supports West Ham
• Likes: Power, curry, pie and mash
• Hobbies: Cars, football, boxing
• Dislikes: Musicals, theatres, dance and snakes
• Health issues: Heart attack and substance abuse

Being a Mitchell means everything to Phil. He and brother Grant ruled the Square, while grand matriarch Peggy looked on proudly. Not to mention his son and daughter - Ben and Louise. But the trouble with family is, they let you down. Phil and Grant had a tempestuous relationship.

When Phil slept with Grant's wife Sharon, Phil ended up in hospital. Peggy orchestrated a situation that lost him his daughter Louise. Though he made amends with Peggy before she left, he found her stifling. Troublesome sister Sam was a liability. He's always struggled to bond with his son Ben, who has lashed out at his father, frustrated by his lack of understanding and love, even getting him falsely imprisoned.

Another weakness of Phil's? Women. He's been married three times. First marriage was to Nadia, a Romanian refugee to whom he provided a visa. Wife number two was Kathy who left him and took Ben to South Africa; wife number three was Kate who grew tired of his criminal behaviour and left him. Basically, being married to Phil is as easy as being his child.

However, in Shirley he has found a real partner. She might not be a Mitchell as she refused to marry him, but she's got the spirit, and she's more than a match for him. She's stuck by him through thin and thin - affairs, substance abuse and prison; and is as tough as he is.

Steve McFadden

• Steve's early TV credits include guest appearances in Bergerac and Minder and a part in the 1988 drama series The Firm with Gary Oldman.
• In 2000, he took a break from EastEnders to appear in the BBC's anthology series Murder In Mind.
• On the big screen, he played a gang member in Buster and a bouncer in Kevin and Perry Go Large.
• Steve is a keen swimmer, and completed The Great North Swim in 35 minutes in aid of the RNLI.
• He's a keen sailor and has his own boat.
• He studied and subsequently graduated from London's prestigious RADA.