EastEnders fans are worried that Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) might be leaving the soap for good after 27 years, following his departure for Portugal in the latest episode. The character, who has been a staple of Walford since 1998, has had a tumultuous year thanks to the manipulative Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona).
Bea's reign of terror
Bea's obsession with Billy's wife Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) began at a school reunion, where the two struck up a rapid friendship. Bea soon insinuated herself into Honey's life, even paying teenagers to vandalize the Minute Mart so she could play the hero and secure a job there. Billy saw through her, but Bea's manipulation convinced Honey to let her stay indefinitely.
Bea's schemes escalated to identity fraud, running up massive credit card debt in Honey's name, and even using AI to create a fake recording of Billy's voice to make Honey think he was unfaithful. When Honey discovered the truth about Bea's past, including that she had destroyed a former flatmate's life and killed her dog, Bea staged her own murder and framed Billy.
Honey's rescue and Billy's decision
Honey managed to lure Bea out of hiding and, with help from Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), freed herself and Billy from Bea's clutches. Bea was arrested, but the couple were left with the debt she had accrued.
Struggling to repay it, Billy confided in his cousin Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who suggested he could earn good money helping Grant fix up his bar in Portugal. After Honey approved the plan, she gave Billy a send-off, sparking fan speculation that Perry Fenwick might be leaving for good.
Temporary departure
However, Billy's exit appears to be temporary, with the length of his stay in Portugal yet to be confirmed. Billy has been a beloved character for nearly three decades, known for his relatable storylines involving family, romance, and Jay's adoption. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief as his departure is likely just a break from Walford.
