EastEnders viewers are convinced they have spotted a new romance for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), with Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter) tipped as his next partner. The speculation follows a recent storyline in which Phil fixed Gemma's car without charging her, a gesture that left her visibly delighted.
Phil has been single since his divorce from Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) in June 2025, following their marriage in 2023. Their split came after Phil's brief affair with Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit), which was exposed by Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) during a family gathering at The Queen Vic. Kat has since reunited with her ex-husband Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), while Phil has remained without a partner in Walford.
Phil's romantic history in Walford
Over the past three decades, Phil has had five wives, including Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), with whom he shares a son, Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden). He is also father to Louise (Tilly Keeper), whose mother is ex-girlfriend Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin), and to Raymond, his son with Denise Fox (Diane Parish) after a one-night stand.
Phil was also confirmed as the father of six-year-old Albie Watts after six years of marriage to Sharon Watts, which ended in 2020. The former couple have recently been seen growing closer as they bond over their son, but fans do not expect them to rekindle their romance.
Fans react to Phil and Gemma's connection
Gemma arrived in Albert Square as the sister of Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington). Earlier this week, she interrupted Phil and Sharon's lunch date at Knight Fusion, desperate to get her car fixed before her husband Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber) found out and "went mad." Phil initially dismissed her, but later changed his mind after meeting her again at Harry's Barn.
In a heartwarming scene, Gemma visited Phil at home, where he returned her car keys and confirmed he had fixed the vehicle without asking for payment. Fans have since taken to X to predict a romance between the pair, despite Gemma being married to Ned.
One viewer wrote: "Phil and Gemma are defo going to get together aren’t they……#EastEnders," while another added: "Gemma and Phil are gonna sleep together aren't they #EastEnders." A third predicted: "Phil and Gemma are probably gonna get together after Ned’s inevitable exit; I would much prefer this to him and Sharon reuniting, as they should just be friends #EastEnders."
Another fan commented: "Feel like they are deffo setting up Gemma & Phil #EastEnders," and one supporter said: "Just putting it out there that I would not be opposed to these two becoming an item in the near future #EastEnders."
Support for a possible pairing
One viewer expressed strong support for the potential couple, explaining: "I definitely ship Phil & Gemma together in the future because he's actually worked on his toxic masculinity and mental health and become a great person versus Ned who fakes being a great person and mental health advocate when he’s far from all of that! He's a snake #EastEnders."
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.
