EastEnders has announced that actor Alan Ford has joined the BBC soap as Stevie Mitchell - Billy Mitchell's estranged father.
Announcing Ford's casting, the BBC said: "Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) grew up in care from the age of ten after Stevie took sole custody of his brother Charlie and the pair last saw each other off-screen over 25 years ago.
"Stevie will arrive in Walford as the Mitchell family prepare to say goodbye to their beloved Aunt Sal, but it soon becomes apparent that his attendance is not welcome.
"Alan has an impressive career spanning over five decades, and is known for his legendary roles across the small and silver screen, including blockbuster gangster movies Snatch, Riot Club, and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, to name just a few."
"I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age in this extremely popular television drama series," said Ford of his Albert Square casting.
Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders Executive Producer added: "It's an honour to welcome the immensely talented Alan Ford to the cast of EastEnders as he takes on the role of Stevie Mitchell.
"Whilst Billy has been a stalwart in the show for over 25 years, viewers know very little about his complicated childhood and the events that led him to grow up in care.
"Alan arrives in Walford as the Mitchell family prepare to say goodbye to their beloved Aunt Sal, but it soon becomes apparent that he is not welcome in the family fold."
Ford has begun filming on EastEnders and will be seen by E20 fans on RTÉ One and BBC One in the new year.
