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Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)
Encyclopedia
William "Billy" Mitchell is a fictional character
from the BBC
soap opera
EastEnders
, played by Perry Fenwick
, who made his first appearance on 2 November 1998. Billy was seen when Phil went to visit his godson Jamie
. However, he didn't arrive in the Square until 2 August 1999, almost a year after his initial appearance. Fenwick filmed his 1000th episode on 6 August 2010.
(Jack Ryder
), and vented his anger on him. When Billy's distant cousin Phil Mitchell
(Steve McFadden
) realised what was happening, he took Jamie in and Billy learnt from his mistakes.
(Ross Kemp
). Billy's cousins see him as little more than a lackey, and he is frequently told that he is an embarrassment to the Mitchell name. Billy finds an ally in Steve Owen (Martin Kemp), who uses Billy as an errand boy in numerous criminal activities including drug-dealing, to antagonise the Mitchell brothers. Billy works at Steve's club, E20, and is given a 1% share of the club for his services, but is often torn between his loyalties to Steve and his family.
Billy falls for Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks
) in 2001, but she is only interested in his money, and when that runs out, she leaves him. Nevertheless, Billy helps her get over some psychological problems later that year, leading her to hope for a reconciliation, but Billy turns her down as he has fallen for Little Mo Morgan
(Kacey Ainsworth
), his business partner in a cleaning company. Mo is being abused by her husband, Trevor
(Alex Ferns
), and it is not until Mo leaves him that Billy and Mo start a relationship. Billy proposes to Mo by spelling out 'MARRY ME' on her plate with alphabet spaghetti, and the pair get engaged. When Trevor discovers this, he kidnaps Mo, but is killed the same night in a gas explosion. Billy and Mo marry on Christmas Day 2002, the same day that Jamie dies of severe injuries after being knocked down by a car. Eleven months after their wedding, Little Mo is raped by Graham Foster (Alex McSweeney
). Mo later discovers she is pregnant as a result of the assault. Billy presses her to have an abortion
, but Mo refuses. She leaves Walford to clear her head, and comes home with baby Freddie
in tow, to see Graham convicted of rape. Billy and Little Mo reunite, but Billy confesses that he can't love Freddie as his own, and thinks of Graham whenever he sees him. Billy and Mo separate, but remain friends until Billy discovers Mo's relationship with Alfie Moon
(Shane Richie
).
In 2002, ownership of E20 passes to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean
). Billy (who still holds his 1% ownership of the club) continues to work there, but when Den Watts
(Leslie Grantham
) returns in September 2003, he manages the club and his feud with the Mitchells leads to Billy and Sam Mitchell
(Kim Medcalf
) being sacked. Sam coerces Billy to burn down the club in revenge. Billy does so, not realising that Vicki Fowler
(Scarlett Johnson
) is inside. Billy rescues her but an explosion engulfs the club and it has to be closed down. Suspecting foul play, the insurance company refuses to pay out, which nearly leads to Sharon selling the club to Sam. However, Den returns from a holiday in Spain with the necessary funds and the Watts keep the club, buying the remaining 1% from Billy in the process.
Billy starts a relationship with newcomer Honey Edwards
(Emma Barton
) in November 2005, whom he manages during her spell as a model. The relationship prospers, despite initial disapproval from Honey's father Jack (Nicky Henson
), who takes time to accept Billy. Billy finds out that Honey is pregnant in January 2006, and is thrilled that he is becoming a father. He proposes and she accepts. In June 2006, Billy and Honey are due to marry, but have to postpone the wedding when Honey is hospitalised; they re-schedule it for July, but this goes wrong due to a practical joke played on Billy during his stag night. Billy's aunt Peggy
(Barbara Windsor
) then arranges a surprise wedding for him and Honey in September. The couple just complete their vows when Honey goes into labour. She delivers a girl, Janet, but the Mitchells are devastated to discover she has Down's syndrome. Honey rejects the baby; she goes into depression, contemplates infanticide
, and demands that Janet be put up for adoption. Billy is opposed to this, but eventually consents after agonising over the decision. On the day Janet is taken into foster care, she suffers a health scare and is hospitalised. Billy goes to care for her, and have her baptised in case she does not survive. Honey wrestles with her conscience and eventually decides she can love her baby so she and Billy bring Janet home.
Honey discovers she is pregnant again, and William is born in November 2007. His birth is traumatic, as Honey has been assaulted by a gang that Jase Dyer
(Stephen Lord
) once belonged to. The baby seems to be stillborn at first, but is resuscitated by medics. Billy blames Jase for the ordeal. They have not got along since Jase's arrival, as Billy believes Jase is attracted to Honey. In December 2007, Billy and Honey suffer monetary problems, and their new landlady, Manju Patel (Leena Dhingra
), decides to evict them. Billy tries to prevent this, by stealing charity money to pay the rent and barricading them in, but they are evicted at Christmas, and forced to rely on the kindness of friends and relatives until the council rehouses them. Billy becomes desperate for money and takes on a job as a getaway driver for Jase, believing they are going to steal money from Terry Bates (Nicholas Ball), who hurt Honey in the past. The job is a set-up, and Terry takes Jase's son Jay Brown
(Jamie Borthwick
) hostage in their absence. With Billy's help, Jay escapes, but Jase is killed by Terry in the fight that ensued. Billy hides in the bathroom, too afraid to help Jase in his moment of need. Not realising this, Jay hails Billy as a hero for trying to rescue his dad. Billy breaks down and confesses his cowardice to Honey and that he has kept some of Jase's money, allegedly to give to now orphaned Jay. Honey is incensed; she threatens to leave Billy, but gives him one last chance on the condition he never lies to her again. Billy does lie and keeps back some of the money after telling Honey he has donated it to charity. Honey decides to end their marriage and takes her children to live with her father, leaving Billy alone and depressed.
In October 2008, Billy visits Jay at his foster home, and offers to look after him as he has no one else. Jay accepts and moves in with Billy. They overcome various problems; however, in May 2009, Nick Cotton
(John Altman) begins blackmailing Billy, threatening to tell Jay the truth about his cowardice on the night of Jase's death. Desperate for money, Billy turns to Phil, who abducts Nick, beats him and orders Billy to kill him. Billy cannot go through with it, and lets Nick go. In the wake of this, Billy finally tells Jay the truth, and Jay reacts in fury. Terry's gang try to intimidate Billy away from the witness stand in the upcoming trial, eventually resorting to holding Jay hostage. The police release Jay, and Billy testifies, which results in Terry receiving life imprisonment for murder, while Billy partially redeems himself in the eyes of Jay. In November 2009, Billy is forced to move out of The Queen Victoria, and he and Jay live with Peggy's estranged husband, Archie
(Larry Lamb
). Billy then works for Archie, until he is murdered, and Roxy
(Rita Simons) (Archie's younger daughter) inherits the majority of Archie's estate, including his businesses, and the house Billy lives in. Roxy then refuses to let Billy work for her, and massively increases his rent.
Desperate for money, Billy starts stealing post, even though he knows that the postman, Masood Ahmed
(Nitin Ganatra
), is in trouble over the missing mail. Billy is kicked out of home again, so he and Jay move in with Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison
). Billy continues to steal post for money, and in one parcel, he finds drugs. He considers going into the R&R nightclub (the new name for the E20 club) to sell them, but changes his mind. He is then contacted by a police officer, who tells him that Honey and Jack have been involved in a car accident: Jack is dead, and Honey is in a critical condition. Billy struggles to tell his children this, and after finding Janet holding the stolen parcel of drugs, he leaves her and William with Phil. He also loses his job on Ian's stall. With few alternatives, Billy accepts cash from his relative, Ronnie
(Samantha Womack), to start a fire at the R&R nightclub (which she now owns) as part of an insurance scam. After the fire, Ronnie finds out that the insurance company may not pay out, and threatens to implicate Billy. However, after Ronnie sees Janet, she tears up the insurance claim form. Honey is subsequently discharged from hospital, and Dot Branning
(June Brown
) convinces Ian to give Billy his job back at the stall. Billy tells Heather that he has agreed to pay Honey extra maintenance for a while, and will find another job. Billy then ponders over the parcel of drugs he still has. When his home with Heather is repossessed, Peggy invites him and Jay back to The Queen Victoria. He decides to help Peggy by locating Phil, who has become addicted to crack cocaine
. He assists his family in forcibly barricading Phil in the upstairs living room of the pub. Worried he will die, Phil convinces Billy to open the door to bring him some water, promising he will not try to leave. Phil barges past Billy and subsequently sets the pub on fire. With the Queen Vic burnt out, Billy and Jay move in to Roxy's house.
Billy works at Jack Branning
's (Scott Maslen
) club R&R where he stops a man from pestering Jean Slater
(Gillian Wright
), however Jack sacks him because he caused a scene. Jean brands Billy a hero and invites him back for tea where they kiss and spend the night together. The next day Billy tells Jay he slept with a younger woman, but Darren Miller
(Charlie G. Hawkins
) says he saw him leaving the Slaters', so Jay realises he slept with Jean. Billy says she was all over him and insults her as Jean and her daughter Stacey
(Lacey Turner
) walk in, leaving Jean upset. The next day, he apologises to Jean, who says decent men do not talk like that, but she is fine because it was just a casual fling. Billy receives a letter from the police about the care home he stayed in, as one of the carers is being investigated. He tells Phil about it, who tears up the letter. The next day, Jay receives a phonecall for Billy and asks what it was about. Billy lies that it was about money, so Jay steals two drills from Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth
), leaving Billy angry when he finds them. Phil tells Jay the letter was about Billy's past, so Jay asks Billy about it, calling him pathetic and a coward for not facing up to his past, so Billy punches Jay in the stomach, but is immediately apologetic. Jay returns the phonecall, pretending to be Billy, and a police officer visits. He asks about a man called Henry Mason (Brian Hibbard
), saying there is an allegation that he got one of the girls in the home pregnant. Billy says it was Julie Perkins (Cathy Murphy
) but gets angry and refuses to say any more. Julie later visits, due to Jay posing as Billy on a social networking website and contacting her. Billy and Julie talk about their shared past, and Julie reveals that she got pregnant, not by Mason but Billy, and tells him he has a grown-up son. Billy is upset that his son never knew his parents and tells Julie she should never have told him, so she leaves. Billy gets drunk at R&R, where he kisses a recently bereaved Carol Jackson
(Lindsey Coulson
), and offers to buy Jean a drink. He causes arguments with Carol, her daughter Bianca
(Patsy Palmer
), Stacey and Kat Moon
(Jessie Wallace
), mistakenly punches a policeman and is arrested. After suffering a panic attack in the police cell, he is released without charge the next morning and calls Julie.
Billy invites Julie to attend Ronnie and Jack's wedding as Billy's guest and is accused of stealing money from Roxy. She later reveals to Billy that she is wearing an electronic tag and is under curfew as she is staying in a hostel. Billy says this does not matter to him. Billy finds out that Phil and Shirley stole the cash and inadvertently reveals it to Glenda Mitchell
(Glynis Barber
). Phil, who has moved house using the cash, wants to kick Billy out but allows him to stay when Billy pleads, saying he has saved Phil's life and never complains when his family take advantage. When Julie asks to store some things around Billy's house, he discovers some photos of a man. Thinking Julie is in a relationship, he confronts her, but she explains that they are pictures of their son, Roger Green (Daniel Brocklebank
). Billy finds his address in Julie's belongings and goes to visit him. Once at the house, Billy announces that he is his father. Roger denies this, and Julie turns up and pulls Billy away. She explains that she could not trace their real son, so fantasised that Roger, her former boss, was their son instead. Billy is then happy to learn that Jay has decided to change his last name to Mitchell, but soon realises it is to impress Phil, not him. Billy forgives Julie, but informs her that he has contacted an adoption agency about their son. Billy and Julie then start a proper romantic relationship as a couple. Billy then attempts to find his real son and finds out his name is Dan Pearce but is devastated to find out he died of liver failure. Billy and Julie discover they have a granddaughter, Lola Pearce
(Danielle Harold
), who is in care. Billy and Julie visit her, and Billy bonds with her but Julie feels Lola is trouble and not their problem, so calls the police to have Lola taken back into care, while Billy sees her as a true Mitchell.
Lola causes problems, such as starting a fire, and Billy defends her, while Julie argues with Billy as she wants Lola to be disciplined. A social worker allows Lola to stay, pending paperwork, but as they are squatting, Julie worries that they will not be able to prove they have a tenancy agreement. However, Phil helps them to get one. Billy continues to take Lola's side, and Julie is unable to cope, so she decides to leave Billy. Billy and Lola struggle for money until Billy is employed by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks
) at her property maintenance firm. Billy is angry when Lola continues to skip school and announces that she is pregnant. She refuses to name the father, though Billy makes incorrect assumptions, and Lola tells Billy she wants him to help raise the child.
. In episode 1, he is working on his stall when Olly Manthrope-Hall (Joshua McGuire
) knocks over his oranges, and helps Stevie Dickinson
(Amanda Fairbank-Hynes) pick up her things. He witnesses a fight and calls the police after his stock is knocked over again, this time by Naz Mehmet
(Emaa Hussen). In episode 7 he witnesses a fight between Asher Levi
(Heshima Thompson
) and his brother Sol
(Tosin Cole
) in front of his stall.
) to the regular cast. In the storyline, Billy was caught being abusive to Jamie and he was subsequently taken in by Billy's cousin Phil Mitchell
(Steve McFadden
). The character was only intended to appear for four episodes; however, Perry Fenwick revealed in 2006 that the role was extended by "coincidence and chance": "I was offered four episodes and here I am, about 800 later. [...] Ross Kemp
(Grant
) said that he was leaving, and there was a gap in the Mitchell family
, so they brought me back to do stuff towards his leaving. After that they offered me a year." Billy was reintroduced in 1999, making recurring appearances. He was involved in the leaving storyline of Grant Mitchell in October 1999, before returning later in the year as a regular character.
It has been noted that when Billy was first introduced, he was a "nasty piece of work". However, Billy underwent a personality change circa 2002 and "became good". It was revealed that Bill's nasty streak was a result of him having been abused and bullied while growing up in a children's home.
From then on, Billy was depicted as "clownish and a bit of a loser [...] a born romantic with a kind nature and a big heart". According to actor Perry Fenwick
, it is doubtful that he would have continued with the role if Billy had not "mended his wicked ways". Billy was involved in an abuse storyline with his nephew Jamie (Jack Ryder
), causing the actor to be "harangued" by strangers in public. In 2006, he commented, "I wouldn't have wanted to stay if Billy had been the way he was at the start. I didn't want to be another Nick Cotton
, an out and out baddie, because it leaves you nowhere to go. You need to be a rounded character to fit in with the others. Then you can be a bit naughty, funny sometimes, in love sometimes — it all opens out. I'm proud of the way he's changed. I didn't like doing that nasty stuff. I needed and wanted the job, but I knew what would come with it — you can't go anywhere on this show without people telling you what they think."
Fenwick particularly likes the comedic side to the character. He has said, "I just ask them to keep it light and shade. I LOVE the comedy side of Billy but there's a sad side to him, too. He's like a little lost soul who is always beaten up and knocked down but he never gives up. He reminds me of Norman Wisdom
."
) was introduced in November 2005 by the executive producer Kate Harwood, as a love interest for Billy. A relationship between Honey and Billy was quickly developed and, within two months, an upcoming baby had been written into the characters' narratives, with Honey announcing she was pregnant in January 2006. A BBC insider told The Sun, "Billy is absolutely chuffed to bits".
The pregnancy was the start of an on-going storyline about Down's syndrome (DS) as, in September 2006, Honey and Billy's baby Janet was diagnosed with the disorder shortly after her birth. EastEnders producers began to work on the DS plot in February 2006. Real parents with Down's children were approached to act as consultants in the making of the storyline, meeting with writers and the actors who play Billy and Honey. On-screen, Honey was shown to be devastated, rejecting her baby and wanting to have her adopted, while Billy wanted to keep his daughter, placing strain on the couple, who married in the serial the day of Janet's birth.
The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) worked with EastEnders on the storyline. Their medical advisers were consulted about possible health problems that Billy and Honey's baby might encounter. According to the DSA in 2006, people with DS are under-represented on mainstream television and EastEnders helped to redress that imbalance. The DSA used their influence to change certain elements of the scripts that they were unhappy with, such as persuading them to change the way Billy and Honey were told of their baby's diagnosis; however, they had no influence over the characters' reactions or the plot in general. For the first two weeks after Janet's diagnosis, the DSA provided a helpline for worried parents or anyone wanting advice about DS. EastEnders also provided a link to the DSA website from theirs, to ensure that people looking for information could find the association.
The storyline was developed with characterisation in mind. Some characters, such as Peggy Mitchell
, were shown to respond negatively towards the baby, views that were included so that the positive aspects could be voiced by the "more enlightened characters". The programme makers' main priority was to show the reality of having a child with the condition, "with all of its positives and negatives" and to "create awareness among thousands of people who know very little about Down's syndrome, who might have out-dated or prejudiced views." EastEnders took advice from DS organisations and families of DS people throughout. Care was taken to ensure that viewers empathised with Billy and Honey, to portray their journey in a "realistic way".
The DSA have expressed their desire to see a character with Down's syndrome becoming a permanent member of the EastEnders cast, as in their opinion "it would be a fantastic opportunity to bring Down's syndrome into mainstream awareness, and to present a 21st century picture of family life for those who have children with the condition." In 2006, EastEnders pledged that they intended for Billy and Honey's baby to grow up as any other baby would in the soap; however, it has been noted that the plot is dependent on the actors involved, and other practical problems that could arise. EastEnders pledged to make every effort to portray "a positive image of a family who have a baby with the condition."
The episodes received criticism for inaccuracy. Sue Jacob, a teacher at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said EastEnders presented a "poor picture of midwifery practice". During Janet's birth, Honey was refused an epidural
while in pain, and later she was told that her baby had Down's syndrome alone, without her partner or family there to support her. Jacob commented, "Women are vulnerable after giving birth and they need support systems in place [...] The person caring for her is repeatedly referred to as a nurse in the episode but there is no way that a nurse would be in charge after birth. The midwife would also have been open and honest and said 'We need to get the baby checked out and we will get your partner' [...] What the soaps do is set scenes which prompt people to talk about things which are affecting their lives. We are concerned people will wrongly think this Down's syndrome story shows what really happens, and that if you have a problem there is no one there to support you. Showing something like this is not helpful." Furthermore, Jacob noted that Honey was left alone for a long time to worry about the baby, which appeared rigid, and not floppy, as Down's babies do. In Jacob's opinion, a midwife would have been repeatedly in and out of the room to check on the mother. Additionally, one episode showed a health visitor
reprimanding Honey for refusing Down's syndrome screening and Karen Reay, director of the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association called the episode "insensitive and patronising". She added that the episode contained "glaring anomalies", giving new mothers a "fictitious and misleading" view of health visitors, which could "damage relationships with health professionals".
The BBC responded by saying, "EastEnders has undertaken a great deal of research to script the storyline of Billy and Honey giving birth to their baby daughter. EastEnders takes enormous care with its research and takes advice from experts in the given field. In addition, for this particular storyline EastEnders talked to numerous families with children who have Down's Syndrome. Some of their experiences were depicted in these early episodes. Also closely involved was a senior midwife from a large UK general hospital who saw all scripts. In relation to some particular points raised, Honey was not denied an epidural - she made the choice to put herself out of reach of communicating effectively with the midwife by locking herself in the bathroom. When the news was broken to Honey and Billy that their baby had Down's Syndrome, EastEnders has in fact drawn directly from one particular true-life story - and while this may indeed not be best practice it is worth saying that good drama does not necessarily come from best practice." Despite the BBC's "extensive search" to cast a real Down's baby for the birth episodes, they were unable to do so, resulting in the shots of the newborn baby being less authentic and limited. The BBC added, "In the coming weeks Honey and Billy's child will be played by a baby with Down's Syndrome. It is worth noting that EastEnders has received incredibly positive feedback from the Down's Syndrome Association following the first few episodes, whom we are continuing to work with very closely." Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, has confrimed that 40% of parents whose babies were diagnosed after birth were given no written or practical information about the condition, and 11% were told, as Honey was, by a midwife rather than a paediatrician: "The way in which Billy and Honey have learnt of their baby's disability, and their subsequent support from their health professionals, is not a best-practice model. However, neither is it an unrealistic situation. BBC researchers and scriptwriters have based the scenes on conversations with families who have children with Down's Syndrome, and the scenes have struck a chord with thousands of our parent members across the country. Some health professionals hold outdated or prejudiced views about people with Down's Syndrome that prevent them from giving parents a balanced picture of what the future will hold for them."
) arrives in the series. Julie turns Billy's life upside-down and forces him to face some shocking home truths. The storyline was introduced as executive producer Bryan Kirkwood
, who took on the role earlier in 2010, wanted Billy to have a storyline that was not connected to existing characters. Fenwick said the storyline was an acting challenge with plenty of twists and turns, and said "it's given me the chance to let go and be a little bit nutty."
In June 2011, it was announced that Danielle Harold had joined the cast, playing Julie and Billy's 15-year-old granddaughter Lola Pearce
. It was reported that Billy and Julie would be shocked to learn of Lola's existence, not knowing the son they once gave up for adoption had a daughter, but would decide to track her down and find her living in a care home.
. In reality, Fenwick will carry the torch through the setting of Albert Square, with live footage to be shown in the episode on 23 July 2012. London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The announcement is a great addition to the Olympic Torch Relay Route. I'm sure the people of Walford will now start planning their celebrations. Along with people right round the UK, the residents of Albert Square will be getting involved to make this their moment to shine." Fenwick said, "When we first discussed the storyline, my initial thought was that I'll now have to get fit. While this may be a fictional one-off for Billy, it's a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and I am thrilled that Walford and Albert Square will be part of this amazing event."
in the cartoon
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.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, played by Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick is an English film and television actor. He has one sister, Tracey, and two brothers, Faron and Lee. He is, also, the second cousin of Georgina Hagen, who played Lauren Waters in the series of Britannia High....
, who made his first appearance on 2 November 1998. Billy was seen when Phil went to visit his godson Jamie
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jack Ryder, who made his first appearance on 9 November 1998. Ryder decided to leave in 2002, and his final episode aired Christmas Day 2002, when Jamie was killed off....
. However, he didn't arrive in the Square until 2 August 1999, almost a year after his initial appearance. Fenwick filmed his 1000th episode on 6 August 2010.
Backstory
Billy's parents left him in a children's home, where he was physically abused by the staff. He got a chance to face one of his abusers, Ernie, then a pensioner, in 2002. When his brother and sister-in-law died, Billy became guardian of their son JamieJamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jack Ryder, who made his first appearance on 9 November 1998. Ryder decided to leave in 2002, and his final episode aired Christmas Day 2002, when Jamie was killed off....
(Jack Ryder
Jack Ryder (actor)
Jack Seigfried Ryder is an English actor, best known for playing Jamie Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 1998 to 2002.-Biography:...
), and vented his anger on him. When Billy's distant cousin Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
(Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden is an English actor, known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has played since1990.-Early life:...
) realised what was happening, he took Jamie in and Billy learnt from his mistakes.
1998—
Billy moves to Walford, initially getting involved in criminal scams with Phil and Grant MitchellGrant Mitchell (EastEnders)
Grant Anthony Mitchell is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders, played by Ross Kemp. Grant first appeared in 1990, introduced by producer Michael Ferguson to revamp the show. Kemp remained until 1999 when he opted to leave...
(Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp
Ross James Kemp is a BAFTA award-winning British actor, author and journalist, who rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders...
). Billy's cousins see him as little more than a lackey, and he is frequently told that he is an embarrassment to the Mitchell name. Billy finds an ally in Steve Owen (Martin Kemp), who uses Billy as an errand boy in numerous criminal activities including drug-dealing, to antagonise the Mitchell brothers. Billy works at Steve's club, E20, and is given a 1% share of the club for his services, but is often torn between his loyalties to Steve and his family.
Billy falls for Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks
Charlie Brooks
Charlene "Charlie" Brooks is a Welsh actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Acting career:...
) in 2001, but she is only interested in his money, and when that runs out, she leaves him. Nevertheless, Billy helps her get over some psychological problems later that year, leading her to hope for a reconciliation, but Billy turns her down as he has fallen for Little Mo Morgan
Little Mo Mitchell
Maureen "Little Mo" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Kacey Ainsworth.-Storylines:...
(Kacey Ainsworth
Kacey Ainsworth
Kacey Ainsworth is an English actress, best known for playing the long-suffering Little Mo in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Life and career:Kacey Ainsworth, is the only soap actress who has won three Soap Actress awards in one single year in 2002...
), his business partner in a cleaning company. Mo is being abused by her husband, Trevor
Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)
Trevor Morgan is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Alex Ferns. He first appeared in December 2000, and became a regular cast member the following summer, after moving into Albert Square with his wife Little Mo Slater .-Storylines:Trevor is introduced as the abusive...
(Alex Ferns
Alex Ferns
Alexander "Alex" Ferns is a Scottish actor and television personality, best known for his EastEnders role as Trevor Morgan, "Britain's most-hated soap villain."...
), and it is not until Mo leaves him that Billy and Mo start a relationship. Billy proposes to Mo by spelling out 'MARRY ME' on her plate with alphabet spaghetti, and the pair get engaged. When Trevor discovers this, he kidnaps Mo, but is killed the same night in a gas explosion. Billy and Mo marry on Christmas Day 2002, the same day that Jamie dies of severe injuries after being knocked down by a car. Eleven months after their wedding, Little Mo is raped by Graham Foster (Alex McSweeney
Alex McSweeney
Alex McSweeney is a British actor, best known for playing Graham Foster in EastEnders from 2003 to 2004.He also played David Radford in The Bill in 2004. Amongst others, programmes he has appeared in include Silent Witness and Holby City. He also appeared in Lewis in 2007...
). Mo later discovers she is pregnant as a result of the assault. Billy presses her to have an abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, but Mo refuses. She leaves Walford to clear her head, and comes home with baby Freddie
Freddie Mitchell
Freddie Lee Mitchell, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League for four seasons. A four-sport athlete at Kathleen High School, Mitchell committed to the University of California, Los Angeles to play football for the Bruins...
in tow, to see Graham convicted of rape. Billy and Little Mo reunite, but Billy confesses that he can't love Freddie as his own, and thinks of Graham whenever he sees him. Billy and Mo separate, but remain friends until Billy discovers Mo's relationship with Alfie Moon
Alfie Moon
Alfred William "Alfie" Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Shane Richie. He made his first appearance on 21 November 2002, and left on 25 December 2005...
(Shane Richie
Shane Richie
Shane Richie is an English actor, comedian, singer and media personality, known for his portrayal of the character Alfie Moon in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.-Early life and career beginnings:...
).
In 2002, ownership of E20 passes to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean
Letitia Dean
Letitia Dean is an English actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Sharon Watts in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, who was one of the serial's original characters. Dean was part of the original cast in 1985 and remained in the series until 1995...
). Billy (who still holds his 1% ownership of the club) continues to work there, but when Den Watts
Den Watts
Dennis Alan "Den" Watts is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by actor Leslie Grantham. He became well known for his tabloid nickname, "Dirty Den"....
(Leslie Grantham
Leslie Grantham
Leslie Michael Grantham is an English actor best known for his role as "Dirty" Den Watts in the soap opera EastEnders. He is also a convicted murderer, having served 10 years for the killing of a German taxi driver, and he generated significant press coverage as the result of an online sex scandal...
) returns in September 2003, he manages the club and his feud with the Mitchells leads to Billy and Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell (EastEnders)
Samantha Margaret Priscilla "Sam" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders. The third member of the Mitchell family to be introduced, Sam entered as a 15-year-old school girl in July 1990, played by Danniella Westbrook. Westbrook quit in 1993, but was reintroduced...
(Kim Medcalf
Kim Medcalf
Kim Louise Medcalf is an English actress and occasional singer.She has made occasional appearances as a singer and is best known for playing the character Sam Mitchell in the long running BBC Soap Opera EastEnders from 2002 to 2005....
) being sacked. Sam coerces Billy to burn down the club in revenge. Billy does so, not realising that Vicki Fowler
Vicki Fowler
Victoria Louise "Vicki" Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Emma Herry from the character's birth in 1986 to 1988, Samantha Leigh Martin from 1988 to 1995, and Scarlett Johnson from 2003 to 2004. The character was born in the serial, conceived in a...
(Scarlett Johnson
Scarlett Johnson
Scarlett Johnson also known as Scarlett Alice Johnson is a British actress.Johnson attended Highgate Wood School and Performing Arts College where she was spotted by an agent in a production of Guys and Dolls in which she played the lead.The role of Vicki Fowler on the BBC's flagship soap opera...
) is inside. Billy rescues her but an explosion engulfs the club and it has to be closed down. Suspecting foul play, the insurance company refuses to pay out, which nearly leads to Sharon selling the club to Sam. However, Den returns from a holiday in Spain with the necessary funds and the Watts keep the club, buying the remaining 1% from Billy in the process.
Billy starts a relationship with newcomer Honey Edwards
Honey Mitchell
Susan "Honey" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Emma Barton. She made her first appearance in the show on 22 November 2005. It was reported on 19 April 2008 that she had been axed from EastEnders, and her last appearance was on 2 September 2008...
(Emma Barton
Emma Barton
Emma Louise Barton is an English actress. She played Honey Mitchell in EastEnders from November 2005 to September 2008....
) in November 2005, whom he manages during her spell as a model. The relationship prospers, despite initial disapproval from Honey's father Jack (Nicky Henson
Nicky Henson
Nicholas Victor Leslie "Nicky" Henson is an English actor who has portrayed many roles since 1963. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1977. He was born in London.-Early life:...
), who takes time to accept Billy. Billy finds out that Honey is pregnant in January 2006, and is thrilled that he is becoming a father. He proposes and she accepts. In June 2006, Billy and Honey are due to marry, but have to postpone the wedding when Honey is hospitalised; they re-schedule it for July, but this goes wrong due to a practical joke played on Billy during his stag night. Billy's aunt Peggy
Peggy Mitchell
Margaret Ann "Peggy" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Peggy was initially played by Jo Warne when she first appeared on 30 April 1991, featuring in the series on a recurring basis over several weeks. Peggy was reintroduced in 1994, recast and was then played by...
(Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
) then arranges a surprise wedding for him and Honey in September. The couple just complete their vows when Honey goes into labour. She delivers a girl, Janet, but the Mitchells are devastated to discover she has Down's syndrome. Honey rejects the baby; she goes into depression, contemplates infanticide
Infanticide
Infanticide or infant homicide is the killing of a human infant. Neonaticide, a killing within 24 hours of a baby's birth, is most commonly done by the mother.In many past societies, certain forms of infanticide were considered permissible...
, and demands that Janet be put up for adoption. Billy is opposed to this, but eventually consents after agonising over the decision. On the day Janet is taken into foster care, she suffers a health scare and is hospitalised. Billy goes to care for her, and have her baptised in case she does not survive. Honey wrestles with her conscience and eventually decides she can love her baby so she and Billy bring Janet home.
Honey discovers she is pregnant again, and William is born in November 2007. His birth is traumatic, as Honey has been assaulted by a gang that Jase Dyer
Jase Dyer
Jason "Jase" Dyer is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Stephen Lord between 2007 and 2008. The character was killed off in the serial, making his final credited appearance on 29 August 2008.-Storylines:...
(Stephen Lord
Stephen Lord
Stephen Lord is a British actor probably best known for playing Jase Dyer, in BBC soap opera EastEnders between 2007-2008.- Personal life :...
) once belonged to. The baby seems to be stillborn at first, but is resuscitated by medics. Billy blames Jase for the ordeal. They have not got along since Jase's arrival, as Billy believes Jase is attracted to Honey. In December 2007, Billy and Honey suffer monetary problems, and their new landlady, Manju Patel (Leena Dhingra
Leena Dhingra
Leena Dhingra is a British/Asian actress.She has appeared in soap operas Doctors as Nina Parmar, Coronation Street as Mina Parekh and EastEnders as Manju Patel...
), decides to evict them. Billy tries to prevent this, by stealing charity money to pay the rent and barricading them in, but they are evicted at Christmas, and forced to rely on the kindness of friends and relatives until the council rehouses them. Billy becomes desperate for money and takes on a job as a getaway driver for Jase, believing they are going to steal money from Terry Bates (Nicholas Ball), who hurt Honey in the past. The job is a set-up, and Terry takes Jase's son Jay Brown
Jay Brown
James "Jay" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jamie Borthwick. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 14 December 2006.-Backstory:...
(Jamie Borthwick
Jamie Borthwick
Jamie Simon Borthwick is a British actor.-Career:Borthwick portrays Jay Brown in EastEnders, though his first appearance on mainstream television was as an orphan in the Celebrate 'Oliver!' musical alongside Shane Richie and Joseph McManners...
) hostage in their absence. With Billy's help, Jay escapes, but Jase is killed by Terry in the fight that ensued. Billy hides in the bathroom, too afraid to help Jase in his moment of need. Not realising this, Jay hails Billy as a hero for trying to rescue his dad. Billy breaks down and confesses his cowardice to Honey and that he has kept some of Jase's money, allegedly to give to now orphaned Jay. Honey is incensed; she threatens to leave Billy, but gives him one last chance on the condition he never lies to her again. Billy does lie and keeps back some of the money after telling Honey he has donated it to charity. Honey decides to end their marriage and takes her children to live with her father, leaving Billy alone and depressed.
In October 2008, Billy visits Jay at his foster home, and offers to look after him as he has no one else. Jay accepts and moves in with Billy. They overcome various problems; however, in May 2009, Nick Cotton
Nick Cotton
Nick Cotton is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders played by John Altman on a recurring basis from the soap's debut episode in February 1985, through to his last appearance to date in 2009. Nick is the son of characters Charlie and Dot Cotton, and the father of Ashley and...
(John Altman) begins blackmailing Billy, threatening to tell Jay the truth about his cowardice on the night of Jase's death. Desperate for money, Billy turns to Phil, who abducts Nick, beats him and orders Billy to kill him. Billy cannot go through with it, and lets Nick go. In the wake of this, Billy finally tells Jay the truth, and Jay reacts in fury. Terry's gang try to intimidate Billy away from the witness stand in the upcoming trial, eventually resorting to holding Jay hostage. The police release Jay, and Billy testifies, which results in Terry receiving life imprisonment for murder, while Billy partially redeems himself in the eyes of Jay. In November 2009, Billy is forced to move out of The Queen Victoria, and he and Jay live with Peggy's estranged husband, Archie
Archie Mitchell
Archibald Lionel "Archie" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Larry Lamb.The character of Archie is the father of already established characters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell , and a member of the Mitchell family, who have appeared in the soap since 1990...
(Larry Lamb
Larry Lamb (actor)
Lawrence Douglas "Larry" Lamb is an English actor who has worked frequently in television. He is best known for playing one of the greatest villains of British soap Archie Mitchell in the BBC television soap EastEnders, Michael Shipman in the BBC television show Gavin & Stacey and Mischievous...
). Billy then works for Archie, until he is murdered, and Roxy
Roxy Mitchell
Roxanne Lizette "Roxy" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by Rita Simons. Roxy arrived in Walford with her sister Ronnie on 24 July 2007 and decided to move permanently to Walford from Ibiza where they ran a bar together. Roxy is the younger of the two...
(Rita Simons) (Archie's younger daughter) inherits the majority of Archie's estate, including his businesses, and the house Billy lives in. Roxy then refuses to let Billy work for her, and massively increases his rent.
Desperate for money, Billy starts stealing post, even though he knows that the postman, Masood Ahmed
Masood Ahmed
Masood Ahmed is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nitin Ganatra.- Storylines :Masood moves to 41 Albert Square with Zainab, Shabnam and Tamwar in October 2007. Masood and Zainab are both active in the postal industry: Masood is a postman and Zainab the owner of a...
(Nitin Ganatra
Nitin Ganatra
Nitin Ganatra is a Kenyan born British actor. He is known internationally as Prince Pondicherry in the Tim Burton film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He also appears in the Gurinder Chada film Bride and Prejudice as Kholi Saab and The Mistress of Spices as Haroun...
), is in trouble over the missing mail. Billy is kicked out of home again, so he and Jay move in with Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison
Cheryl Fergison
Cheryl Fergison is a British actress most notable for playing Heather Trott in the long running BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Career:...
). Billy continues to steal post for money, and in one parcel, he finds drugs. He considers going into the R&R nightclub (the new name for the E20 club) to sell them, but changes his mind. He is then contacted by a police officer, who tells him that Honey and Jack have been involved in a car accident: Jack is dead, and Honey is in a critical condition. Billy struggles to tell his children this, and after finding Janet holding the stolen parcel of drugs, he leaves her and William with Phil. He also loses his job on Ian's stall. With few alternatives, Billy accepts cash from his relative, Ronnie
Ronnie Mitchell
Veronica Elizabeth "Ronnie" Branning is a fictional character from the British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Samantha Womack. Ronnie and her sister Roxy were introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer in July 2007; Ronnie is the "ice" to Roxy's "fire"...
(Samantha Womack), to start a fire at the R&R nightclub (which she now owns) as part of an insurance scam. After the fire, Ronnie finds out that the insurance company may not pay out, and threatens to implicate Billy. However, after Ronnie sees Janet, she tears up the insurance claim form. Honey is subsequently discharged from hospital, and Dot Branning
Dot Branning
Dorothy "Dot" Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by June Brown since 1985. In a special episode entitled EastEnders: Dot's Story a young Dot was played by Tallulah Pitt-Brown in flashbacks. Dot first appeared in EastEnders in July 1985 as the mother of...
(June Brown
June Brown
June Muriel Brown, MBE is a British actress, best known for her role as the busy-body, chain-smoking gossip Dot Cotton in the long-running British soap opera EastEnders and for making other high profile television appearances on shows such as Doctor Who, Coronation Street, Minder, The Bill and...
) convinces Ian to give Billy his job back at the stall. Billy tells Heather that he has agreed to pay Honey extra maintenance for a while, and will find another job. Billy then ponders over the parcel of drugs he still has. When his home with Heather is repossessed, Peggy invites him and Jay back to The Queen Victoria. He decides to help Peggy by locating Phil, who has become addicted to crack cocaine
Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed rock, hard, iron, cavvy, base, or just crack; it is the most addictive form of cocaine. Crack rocks offer a short but intense high to smokers...
. He assists his family in forcibly barricading Phil in the upstairs living room of the pub. Worried he will die, Phil convinces Billy to open the door to bring him some water, promising he will not try to leave. Phil barges past Billy and subsequently sets the pub on fire. With the Queen Vic burnt out, Billy and Jay move in to Roxy's house.
Billy works at Jack Branning
Jack Branning
Jack Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Scott Maslen. He made his first appearance on 29 October 2007. He is the youngest child of Jim and Reenie Branning and the brother of April Branning, Carol Jackson, Derek Branning, Suzy Branning and Max Branning...
's (Scott Maslen
Scott Maslen
Scott Alexander Maslen is an English actor and model, best known for his portrayal as DS Phil Hunter in ITV's The Bill and now Jack Branning on the BBC's flagship soap EastEnders.-Early and personal life:...
) club R&R where he stops a man from pestering Jean Slater
Jean Slater
Jean Elaine Slater is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gillian Wright. She appeared in December 2004 briefly and in December 2005. She returned as a recurring character in June 2006 and returned again as a regular character from November 2006...
(Gillian Wright
Gillian Wright
Gillian Wright, is an English actress who is best known for portraying the role of Jean Slater on the long running BBC soap opera EastEnders...
), however Jack sacks him because he caused a scene. Jean brands Billy a hero and invites him back for tea where they kiss and spend the night together. The next day Billy tells Jay he slept with a younger woman, but Darren Miller
Darren Miller
Darren Miller is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Charlie G. Hawkins. He made his first appearance on 6 September 2004 and departed in the episode broadcast on 20 September 2011.-Storylines:...
(Charlie G. Hawkins
Charlie G. Hawkins
Charlie George Hawkins is an English actor. He was raised in Islington where he has lived since birth.His most notable role is Darren Miller in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has starred in since 2004, although he has had other roles in films, dramas, documentaries and advertisements...
) says he saw him leaving the Slaters', so Jay realises he slept with Jean. Billy says she was all over him and insults her as Jean and her daughter Stacey
Stacey Slater
Stacey Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lacey Turner. She made her first appearance on 1 November 2004. The character was introduced as a feisty and troublesome teenager, an extension of the already established Slater clan...
(Lacey Turner
Lacey Turner
Lacey Amelia Turner is an award-winning English actress. She is best known for portraying the role of Stacey Slater on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role for which she has won 33 awards...
) walk in, leaving Jean upset. The next day, he apologises to Jean, who says decent men do not talk like that, but she is fine because it was just a casual fling. Billy receives a letter from the police about the care home he stayed in, as one of the carers is being investigated. He tells Phil about it, who tears up the letter. The next day, Jay receives a phonecall for Billy and asks what it was about. Billy lies that it was about money, so Jay steals two drills from Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth
Stefan Booth
Stefan Booth is an English actor and singer currently starring in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Greg Jessop. He left the series in August 2011 and will return to the show.-Background:...
), leaving Billy angry when he finds them. Phil tells Jay the letter was about Billy's past, so Jay asks Billy about it, calling him pathetic and a coward for not facing up to his past, so Billy punches Jay in the stomach, but is immediately apologetic. Jay returns the phonecall, pretending to be Billy, and a police officer visits. He asks about a man called Henry Mason (Brian Hibbard
Brian Hibbard
Brian Hibbard is a Welsh actor and singer, best remembered as the lead vocalist in the original Flying Pickets.Hibbard was born in Ebbw Vale, and after various job including teacher, steel worker, barman and chimney sweep, he formed the Flying Pickets with a group of other actors who had practised...
), saying there is an allegation that he got one of the girls in the home pregnant. Billy says it was Julie Perkins (Cathy Murphy
Cathy Murphy
Cathy Murphy is a British actress who studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She played the role of Lorna in 1991, a love interest of Mark Fowler in soap opera EastEnders. In 2005 she returned to play the recurring role of Trisha Taylor. She had earlier played the ongoing role of Cheryl...
) but gets angry and refuses to say any more. Julie later visits, due to Jay posing as Billy on a social networking website and contacting her. Billy and Julie talk about their shared past, and Julie reveals that she got pregnant, not by Mason but Billy, and tells him he has a grown-up son. Billy is upset that his son never knew his parents and tells Julie she should never have told him, so she leaves. Billy gets drunk at R&R, where he kisses a recently bereaved Carol Jackson
Carol Jackson
Carol Ann Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lindsey Coulson. The character was introduced in 1993 as part of a new problem family. Coulson decided to quit the role in 1997, but she returned temporarily in 1999 as part of a storyline that marked Carol's...
(Lindsey Coulson
Lindsey Coulson
Lindsey Coulson is an English actress, best known for her role as Carol Jackson in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.- Career :...
), and offers to buy Jean a drink. He causes arguments with Carol, her daughter Bianca
Bianca Jackson
Bianca Butcher is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Patsy Palmer. The character was introduced by executive producer Leonard Lewis and appeared initially from 1993 to 1999, when Palmer opted to leave. In 2002 executive producer John Yorke brought the character...
(Patsy Palmer
Patsy Palmer
Patsy Palmer is an English actress. Palmer made an early television appearance on the children's drama show Grange Hill, but is best known for playing Bianca Jackson in the popular British television soap opera EastEnders. Originally in the cast from 1993–1999, Palmer returned to EastEnders in...
), Stacey and Kat Moon
Kat Moon
Kathleen "Kat" Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jessie Wallace. She was also played by Kate Peck in a flashback in 2001. She appeared in the show from September 2000 to November 2004, then returned in May 2005...
(Jessie Wallace
Jessie Wallace
Jessie Wallace is an English actress best known for her portrayal as Kat Moon in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Early life:...
), mistakenly punches a policeman and is arrested. After suffering a panic attack in the police cell, he is released without charge the next morning and calls Julie.
Billy invites Julie to attend Ronnie and Jack's wedding as Billy's guest and is accused of stealing money from Roxy. She later reveals to Billy that she is wearing an electronic tag and is under curfew as she is staying in a hostel. Billy says this does not matter to him. Billy finds out that Phil and Shirley stole the cash and inadvertently reveals it to Glenda Mitchell
Glenda Mitchell
The following is a list of characters who first appeared or are due to appear in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2010, by order of first appearance...
(Glynis Barber
Glynis Barber
Glynis Barber is a South African actress of Afrikaner descent, born and brought up in South Africa. She was born Glynis van der Riet. When she was five years old, her parents divorced, and she and her mother moved to Johannesburg. She is best known for her portrayal as Sgt...
). Phil, who has moved house using the cash, wants to kick Billy out but allows him to stay when Billy pleads, saying he has saved Phil's life and never complains when his family take advantage. When Julie asks to store some things around Billy's house, he discovers some photos of a man. Thinking Julie is in a relationship, he confronts her, but she explains that they are pictures of their son, Roger Green (Daniel Brocklebank
Daniel Brocklebank
Daniel Brocklebank is an award-winning British actor. He received a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in the multi-award–winning movie Shakespeare in Love...
). Billy finds his address in Julie's belongings and goes to visit him. Once at the house, Billy announces that he is his father. Roger denies this, and Julie turns up and pulls Billy away. She explains that she could not trace their real son, so fantasised that Roger, her former boss, was their son instead. Billy is then happy to learn that Jay has decided to change his last name to Mitchell, but soon realises it is to impress Phil, not him. Billy forgives Julie, but informs her that he has contacted an adoption agency about their son. Billy and Julie then start a proper romantic relationship as a couple. Billy then attempts to find his real son and finds out his name is Dan Pearce but is devastated to find out he died of liver failure. Billy and Julie discover they have a granddaughter, Lola Pearce
Lola Pearce
Lola Pearce is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Danielle Harold. Lola is the granddaughter of Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins . Lola made her first appearance on 12 July 2011....
(Danielle Harold
Danielle Harold
Danielle Amy Louise Harold is an English actress from Lewisham, best known for her role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as Lola Pearce.-Career:...
), who is in care. Billy and Julie visit her, and Billy bonds with her but Julie feels Lola is trouble and not their problem, so calls the police to have Lola taken back into care, while Billy sees her as a true Mitchell.
Lola causes problems, such as starting a fire, and Billy defends her, while Julie argues with Billy as she wants Lola to be disciplined. A social worker allows Lola to stay, pending paperwork, but as they are squatting, Julie worries that they will not be able to prove they have a tenancy agreement. However, Phil helps them to get one. Billy continues to take Lola's side, and Julie is unable to cope, so she decides to leave Billy. Billy and Lola struggle for money until Billy is employed by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks
Charlie Brooks
Charlene "Charlie" Brooks is a Welsh actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Acting career:...
) at her property maintenance firm. Billy is angry when Lola continues to skip school and announces that she is pregnant. She refuses to name the father, though Billy makes incorrect assumptions, and Lola tells Billy she wants him to help raise the child.
Other appearances
Billy appears in series 2 of the spin-off series EastEnders: E20EastEnders: E20
EastEnders: E20 is a British Internet soap opera, which began airing on 8 January 2010. A spin-off from the established BBC soap EastEnders, it is set in EastEnders regular setting of Albert Square, a Victorian square in the fictional borough of Walford, in the East End of London...
. In episode 1, he is working on his stall when Olly Manthrope-Hall (Joshua McGuire
Joshua McGuire
Joshua McGuire is a British actor, most notable for television roles including Eastenders: E20 and recurring roles in The Hour and The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff.-External links:*http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3992182/...
) knocks over his oranges, and helps Stevie Dickinson
Stevie Dickinson
Stephanie "Stevie" Dickinson is a fictional character from EastEnders: E20, an Internet spin-off of the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Amanda Fairbank-Hynes. Stevie is a main character in series 2, where she is joined by her new friends Asher Levi , Sol Levi and Naz Mehmet...
(Amanda Fairbank-Hynes) pick up her things. He witnesses a fight and calls the police after his stock is knocked over again, this time by Naz Mehmet
Naz Mehmet
Nazan "Naz" Mehmet is a fictional character from EastEnders: E20, an Internet spin-off from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Emaa Hussen. Naz is a main character in series 2, where she is joined by brothers Asher and Sol Levi , and Stevie Dickinson...
(Emaa Hussen). In episode 7 he witnesses a fight between Asher Levi
Asher Levi
Asher Levi is a fictional character from EastEnders: E20, an Internet spin-off of the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Played by Heshima Thompson, Asher is a main character in series two. He is a charismatic street dancer, who uses his talent to escape from his criminal past...
(Heshima Thompson
Heshima Thompson
Heshima Salim Thompson is a British actor and singer.Thompson was born in the London Borough of Brent. He has appeared on television in Spooks: Code 9 as Jez, Prime Suspect, Casualty, City Lights, Judge John Deed and Babyfather. In theatre he has appeared at The Young Vic in Generations and at The...
) and his brother Sol
Sol Levi
Solomon "Sol" Levi is a fictional character from EastEnders: E20, an Internet spin-off off the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Tosin Cole. Sol is a main character in series 2, where he is joined by his older brother Asher Levi and their new friends Naz Mehmet and Stevie Dickinson...
(Tosin Cole
Tosin Cole
Tosin Cole is a British actor. He known for his roles in The Cut, EastEnders: E20 and Hollyoaks.-Career:In 2009, Cole was part of a theatre production titled Wasted!, a modern reproduction of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, produced by Intermission, a company which helps teenagers stay away from...
) in front of his stall.
Creation
The character Billy Mitchell was introduced by producer Matthew Robinson as a guest character in November 1998, used as part of a storyline to introduce Billy's nephew, Jamie, (Jack RyderJack Ryder (actor)
Jack Seigfried Ryder is an English actor, best known for playing Jamie Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 1998 to 2002.-Biography:...
) to the regular cast. In the storyline, Billy was caught being abusive to Jamie and he was subsequently taken in by Billy's cousin Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
(Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden is an English actor, known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has played since1990.-Early life:...
). The character was only intended to appear for four episodes; however, Perry Fenwick revealed in 2006 that the role was extended by "coincidence and chance": "I was offered four episodes and here I am, about 800 later. [...] Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp
Ross James Kemp is a BAFTA award-winning British actor, author and journalist, who rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders...
(Grant
Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)
Grant Anthony Mitchell is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders, played by Ross Kemp. Grant first appeared in 1990, introduced by producer Michael Ferguson to revamp the show. Kemp remained until 1999 when he opted to leave...
) said that he was leaving, and there was a gap in the Mitchell family
Mitchell family
The Mitchell family is a fictional family in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The first Mitchell nuclear family introduced were Eric Mitchell's widow Peggy Mitchell and her three children, Phil, Grant and Sam...
, so they brought me back to do stuff towards his leaving. After that they offered me a year." Billy was reintroduced in 1999, making recurring appearances. He was involved in the leaving storyline of Grant Mitchell in October 1999, before returning later in the year as a regular character.
Personality
When Billy was first introduced, he was depicted as a "runt of a man who's a catalyst for trouble." Kate Lock, author of EastEnders Who's Who, has noted that the character was something of an outcast to the rest of the Mitchell clan, commenting, "none of the other Mitchells likes to think of him as 'family' [..] Billy is held in great contempt by the Mitchell [brothers], who regard him as a lower lifeform than a worm".It has been noted that when Billy was first introduced, he was a "nasty piece of work". However, Billy underwent a personality change circa 2002 and "became good". It was revealed that Bill's nasty streak was a result of him having been abused and bullied while growing up in a children's home.
From then on, Billy was depicted as "clownish and a bit of a loser [...] a born romantic with a kind nature and a big heart". According to actor Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick is an English film and television actor. He has one sister, Tracey, and two brothers, Faron and Lee. He is, also, the second cousin of Georgina Hagen, who played Lauren Waters in the series of Britannia High....
, it is doubtful that he would have continued with the role if Billy had not "mended his wicked ways". Billy was involved in an abuse storyline with his nephew Jamie (Jack Ryder
Jack Ryder (actor)
Jack Seigfried Ryder is an English actor, best known for playing Jamie Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 1998 to 2002.-Biography:...
), causing the actor to be "harangued" by strangers in public. In 2006, he commented, "I wouldn't have wanted to stay if Billy had been the way he was at the start. I didn't want to be another Nick Cotton
Nick Cotton
Nick Cotton is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders played by John Altman on a recurring basis from the soap's debut episode in February 1985, through to his last appearance to date in 2009. Nick is the son of characters Charlie and Dot Cotton, and the father of Ashley and...
, an out and out baddie, because it leaves you nowhere to go. You need to be a rounded character to fit in with the others. Then you can be a bit naughty, funny sometimes, in love sometimes — it all opens out. I'm proud of the way he's changed. I didn't like doing that nasty stuff. I needed and wanted the job, but I knew what would come with it — you can't go anywhere on this show without people telling you what they think."
Fenwick particularly likes the comedic side to the character. He has said, "I just ask them to keep it light and shade. I LOVE the comedy side of Billy but there's a sad side to him, too. He's like a little lost soul who is always beaten up and knocked down but he never gives up. He reminds me of Norman Wisdom
Norman Wisdom
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin...
."
Honey Edwards and Down's syndrome
The character Honey Edwards (Emma BartonEmma Barton
Emma Louise Barton is an English actress. She played Honey Mitchell in EastEnders from November 2005 to September 2008....
) was introduced in November 2005 by the executive producer Kate Harwood, as a love interest for Billy. A relationship between Honey and Billy was quickly developed and, within two months, an upcoming baby had been written into the characters' narratives, with Honey announcing she was pregnant in January 2006. A BBC insider told The Sun, "Billy is absolutely chuffed to bits".
The pregnancy was the start of an on-going storyline about Down's syndrome (DS) as, in September 2006, Honey and Billy's baby Janet was diagnosed with the disorder shortly after her birth. EastEnders producers began to work on the DS plot in February 2006. Real parents with Down's children were approached to act as consultants in the making of the storyline, meeting with writers and the actors who play Billy and Honey. On-screen, Honey was shown to be devastated, rejecting her baby and wanting to have her adopted, while Billy wanted to keep his daughter, placing strain on the couple, who married in the serial the day of Janet's birth.
The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) worked with EastEnders on the storyline. Their medical advisers were consulted about possible health problems that Billy and Honey's baby might encounter. According to the DSA in 2006, people with DS are under-represented on mainstream television and EastEnders helped to redress that imbalance. The DSA used their influence to change certain elements of the scripts that they were unhappy with, such as persuading them to change the way Billy and Honey were told of their baby's diagnosis; however, they had no influence over the characters' reactions or the plot in general. For the first two weeks after Janet's diagnosis, the DSA provided a helpline for worried parents or anyone wanting advice about DS. EastEnders also provided a link to the DSA website from theirs, to ensure that people looking for information could find the association.
The storyline was developed with characterisation in mind. Some characters, such as Peggy Mitchell
Peggy Mitchell
Margaret Ann "Peggy" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Peggy was initially played by Jo Warne when she first appeared on 30 April 1991, featuring in the series on a recurring basis over several weeks. Peggy was reintroduced in 1994, recast and was then played by...
, were shown to respond negatively towards the baby, views that were included so that the positive aspects could be voiced by the "more enlightened characters". The programme makers' main priority was to show the reality of having a child with the condition, "with all of its positives and negatives" and to "create awareness among thousands of people who know very little about Down's syndrome, who might have out-dated or prejudiced views." EastEnders took advice from DS organisations and families of DS people throughout. Care was taken to ensure that viewers empathised with Billy and Honey, to portray their journey in a "realistic way".
The episodes received criticism for inaccuracy. Sue Jacob, a teacher at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said EastEnders presented a "poor picture of midwifery practice". During Janet's birth, Honey was refused an epidural
Epidural
The term epidural is often short for epidural analgesia, a form of regional analgesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space...
while in pain, and later she was told that her baby had Down's syndrome alone, without her partner or family there to support her. Jacob commented, "Women are vulnerable after giving birth and they need support systems in place [...] The person caring for her is repeatedly referred to as a nurse in the episode but there is no way that a nurse would be in charge after birth. The midwife would also have been open and honest and said 'We need to get the baby checked out and we will get your partner' [...] What the soaps do is set scenes which prompt people to talk about things which are affecting their lives. We are concerned people will wrongly think this Down's syndrome story shows what really happens, and that if you have a problem there is no one there to support you. Showing something like this is not helpful." Furthermore, Jacob noted that Honey was left alone for a long time to worry about the baby, which appeared rigid, and not floppy, as Down's babies do. In Jacob's opinion, a midwife would have been repeatedly in and out of the room to check on the mother. Additionally, one episode showed a health visitor
Health visitor
Health visitors are UK community health nurses who have undertaken further training to work as part of a primary health care team. As their name suggests, their role is to promote mental, physical and social well-being in the community by giving advice and support to families in all age groups...
reprimanding Honey for refusing Down's syndrome screening and Karen Reay, director of the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association called the episode "insensitive and patronising". She added that the episode contained "glaring anomalies", giving new mothers a "fictitious and misleading" view of health visitors, which could "damage relationships with health professionals".
The BBC responded by saying, "EastEnders has undertaken a great deal of research to script the storyline of Billy and Honey giving birth to their baby daughter. EastEnders takes enormous care with its research and takes advice from experts in the given field. In addition, for this particular storyline EastEnders talked to numerous families with children who have Down's Syndrome. Some of their experiences were depicted in these early episodes. Also closely involved was a senior midwife from a large UK general hospital who saw all scripts. In relation to some particular points raised, Honey was not denied an epidural - she made the choice to put herself out of reach of communicating effectively with the midwife by locking herself in the bathroom. When the news was broken to Honey and Billy that their baby had Down's Syndrome, EastEnders has in fact drawn directly from one particular true-life story - and while this may indeed not be best practice it is worth saying that good drama does not necessarily come from best practice." Despite the BBC's "extensive search" to cast a real Down's baby for the birth episodes, they were unable to do so, resulting in the shots of the newborn baby being less authentic and limited. The BBC added, "In the coming weeks Honey and Billy's child will be played by a baby with Down's Syndrome. It is worth noting that EastEnders has received incredibly positive feedback from the Down's Syndrome Association following the first few episodes, whom we are continuing to work with very closely." Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, has confrimed that 40% of parents whose babies were diagnosed after birth were given no written or practical information about the condition, and 11% were told, as Honey was, by a midwife rather than a paediatrician: "The way in which Billy and Honey have learnt of their baby's disability, and their subsequent support from their health professionals, is not a best-practice model. However, neither is it an unrealistic situation. BBC researchers and scriptwriters have based the scenes on conversations with families who have children with Down's Syndrome, and the scenes have struck a chord with thousands of our parent members across the country. Some health professionals hold outdated or prejudiced views about people with Down's Syndrome that prevent them from giving parents a balanced picture of what the future will hold for them."
Julie Perkins
In 2010, storylines show Billy receiving a letter from the care home he stayed in as a child, and a character from his past, Julie Perkins (Cathy MurphyCathy Murphy
Cathy Murphy is a British actress who studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She played the role of Lorna in 1991, a love interest of Mark Fowler in soap opera EastEnders. In 2005 she returned to play the recurring role of Trisha Taylor. She had earlier played the ongoing role of Cheryl...
) arrives in the series. Julie turns Billy's life upside-down and forces him to face some shocking home truths. The storyline was introduced as executive producer Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood (producer)
Bryan Kirkwood is a Scottish-born British television producer. He was the producer of teen Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and has been the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders since 2010.- Personal life :...
, who took on the role earlier in 2010, wanted Billy to have a storyline that was not connected to existing characters. Fenwick said the storyline was an acting challenge with plenty of twists and turns, and said "it's given me the chance to let go and be a little bit nutty."
In June 2011, it was announced that Danielle Harold had joined the cast, playing Julie and Billy's 15-year-old granddaughter Lola Pearce
Lola Pearce
Lola Pearce is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Danielle Harold. Lola is the granddaughter of Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins . Lola made her first appearance on 12 July 2011....
. It was reported that Billy and Julie would be shocked to learn of Lola's existence, not knowing the son they once gave up for adoption had a daughter, but would decide to track her down and find her living in a care home.
Other storylines
In November 2011, Billy is selected to be a torch bearer for the 2012 Summer Olympics2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
. In reality, Fenwick will carry the torch through the setting of Albert Square, with live footage to be shown in the episode on 23 July 2012. London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The announcement is a great addition to the Olympic Torch Relay Route. I'm sure the people of Walford will now start planning their celebrations. Along with people right round the UK, the residents of Albert Square will be getting involved to make this their moment to shine." Fenwick said, "When we first discussed the storyline, my initial thought was that I'll now have to get fit. While this may be a fictional one-off for Billy, it's a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and I am thrilled that Walford and Albert Square will be part of this amazing event."
Reception
Billy has been described by Nicola Methven, TV editor of The Mirror, as one of EastEnders' most popular characters. According to actor Perry Fenwick, Billy was initially unpopular with a proportion of viewers for his abusive antics on-screen. In 2006, Fenwick commented, "In the beginning it was all old ladies having a go at me, and young girls who fancied Jack Ryder". However, when the character's personality altered, the reception to his character improved. Fenwick adds, " Now it's great - people really like Billy and shout out: "All right, Billy boy, how's it going?". According to Methven, "The turning point for Billy's popularity came when viewers learned his nasty streak was a result of him having been abused and bullied while growing up in a children's home"In popular culture
The character of Billy Mitchell has been spoofedParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
in the cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
sketch show 2DTV
2DTV
2DTV is a British satirical animated television show that was broadcast on ITV in the United Kingdom, directed by Tim Searle.2DTV employs the same satirical style as Spitting Image, but using animation rather than puppets. The animation was produced on computer, frequently with animators working up...
.
External links
- Billy Mitchell at What's On TVWhat's On TVWhat's on TV is a weekly television listings magazine published by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.-Overview:What's on TV is a weekly UK television magazine. It publishes features, TV listings, news and gossip from soap operas, as well as puzzles and competitions...