Steve McFadden won his first National Television Award on Wednesday, taking the Serial Drama Performance prize for his portrayal of Phil Mitchell in a hard‑hitting EastEnders depression storyline that culminated in a suicide attempt.
The 66‑year‑old actor, who has played Phil Mitchell for 35 years, became visibly emotional as he accepted the award from co‑star Jessie Wallace and actress Michelle Ryan. In his acceptance speech McFadden said, "I’ve sat in the front row many, many times with my feet on the bottom stair and never won this prize. This is an excellent turn of events." He added that he was "touched and over the moon" and thanked his "generous, brilliant, stunning, wonderful" castmates.
The storyline, broadcast earlier this year, followed Phil as he struggled with depression and psychotic symptoms, isolating himself from family and friends amid personal crises including Sharon’s new relationship with his cousin Teddy, the collapse of his marriage to Kate, and Ben’s imprisonment in the United States. As his depression deepened, the character experienced vivid hallucinations and concluded his life was no longer worth living, leading to the on‑screen suicide attempt.
Producers said EastEnders worked closely with mental health organisations including the Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure the storyline was portrayed accurately and sensitively. The plot traced the impact of Phil’s declining mental health on his family and friends as they sought to understand and support him.
McFadden was nominated alongside co‑star Jacqueline Jossa and Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd, among others. The National Television Awards, in their 30th year, are voted for by the public; organisers said viewers could cast ballots by post, telephone and online. The ceremony honours programmes and performers across a range of categories and was established in 1995 to give the public a direct voice in recognising television talent.
Other winners and notable moments at the ceremony included This Morning receiving the Daytime Award, prompting presenter Alison Hammond to say the show's victory felt like the "natural order has been restored." Longtime favourites Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who had been widely expected to win the TV Presenter prize for a 24th consecutive year, were beaten by Gary Lineker.
Organisers said this year’s ceremony showcased a broad field of contenders across drama, factual entertainment, comedy and reality programming, reflecting both returning favourites and newer titles on the schedules. The recognition for McFadden marks a rare instance in which a long‑running soap character and its performer have been singled out by voters for a storyline addressing mental health, underscoring continued public attention to how television depicts psychological illness and suicide.
Representatives for EastEnders and McFadden did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. The production’s collaboration with charities on the storyline was publicised at the time of broadcast, and the organisations involved provided guidance to the creative team about safe portrayals of self‑harm and suicide to reduce the risk of harm to viewers.