PHIL Mitchell will return to EastEnders in time for Dennis Rickman’s funeral where he will come face to face with grieving Sharon.
It will be the first time the pair have met since Denny died aboard the tragic boat crash, which was caused by Phil.
Phil, played by Steve McFadden, did a runner after the incident leaving Sharon (Letitia Dean) to pick up the pieces while caring for her new son.
But new spoiler images show that Phil will be back in time for the funeral, which will take place on March 23, and he doesn’t appear to be welcomed with open arms.
Sharon has not been coping well since the boat crash but how will she react to Phil’s return?
Dennis died after being locked in a room on the doomed boat by Ian Beale for having his son Bobby attacked.
Ian did try to rescue Dennis and managed to get him out of the room but the boat had already filled with water and they were both dragged out by the current.
And while Ian was rushed to hospital, Dennis was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sharon later discovered that Phil had been behind the crash as he fought with Keanu Taylor on board.
Phil threatened to finally kill Keanu for sleeping with his wife and daughter.
EastEnders” width=”960″ height=”540″ />In emotional scenes, Keanu told Phil he was the closest thing he’d ever had to a dad as he tried to persuade him to let him live.
But Phil wasn’t having any of it and even hit the captain of the ship as he tried to separate him from Keanu.
They then crashed into the steering wheel and turned the boat off course.
Phil’s gun went off and narrowly missed Keanu before Ben burst in during the dramatic scene and tried to stop him.
Phil pushed his son out of the way just as the boat hit another vessel and flung them all overboard.
