SHARON and Phil’s romantic relationship in EastEnders is the most toxic in all of soap history – reuniting them would be the final nail in the hardman’s coffin.
Earlier this week, the former couple were on the verge of reuniting – again – before a Grant Mitchell-shaped spanner got in the works.
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As usual, Sharon might profess her love for Phil but he’s always been a second choice for her – never truly a first – and doesn’t everyone deserve that in their life?
With Phil still struggling with his mental health after months of spiralling and attempting to take his own life – if Sharon was to betray him again – I don’t think he’d survive the turmoil.
And I’m sure she will – because Sharon isn’t truly in love with him – she just likes a safe harbour or someone to fawn over her – until something more tempting comes along.
Lets have a look back at their rollercoaster relationship and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
Back in 1990 the Mitchell brothers caused quite the stir when they arrived in the Square.
Sharon fell for bad boy Grant and it wasn’t long before the couple were installed as the owners of The Queen Vic.
But Sharon turned to Phil for comfort during her rocky marriage with the violent Grant.
However after a while, she decided it was Grant she wanted and love struck Phil was dumped.
But in a brilliant twist – Sharon was accidentally recorded telling best mate Michelle everything about her affair and millions tuned in to see what Grant would do.
Yes ‘Sharongate’ was exciting, but come on that was decades ago – we didn’t know the pair as well as we do now – and the ongoing back and forth is dull now.
Anyway back to the triangle – Grant heard the tape and played her confession in front of everyone in The Vic and then beat Phil so severely that he ended up in intensive care.
You’d think that would be enough for Phil to realise his relationship with Sharon was doomed, but no, over three decades later and the toxicity is still dragging on.
After a few years in the US, Sharon came home in 2001 and quickly fell back into Phil’s arms but she ended the relationship when Lisa told Sharon that her baby daughter, Louise, was Phil’s child.
She then met Dennis Rickman who became her soulmate but he was murdered and Sharon left the show again.
But hang on to your Mills and Boons because she came back again in 2012 and it was time for another love triangle, this time with Jack Branning and lovesick Phil.
When is enough enough? Never – according to the EastEnders bosses
However when Jack jilted Sharon, Phil made his move and the toxic lovebirds got back together again. See the pattern?
When is enough enough? Never – according to the EastEnders bosses.
Just as Sharon and Phil were finally ready to commit, Phil confessed that he had incited the murder of her soulmate Dennis.
She decided to fleece Phil for all he was worth; but he found out and planned to jilt her at the altar.
Best soap affair love triangles
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
Neither of them could go through with it though and Phil made her his Mrs Mitchell at last.
Had enough of love triangles yet? The bosses didn’t think so and there would be no happy ending.
A few years later Sharon began an affair with Phil’s employee Keanu Taylor which led to divorce for Sharon and Phil.
But Phil’s vendetta against Keanu culminated in a catastrophic confrontation, and Sharon’s beloved son Denny was drowned.
WAKE UP
At the wake, Sharon screamed that she wanted to rip Phil’s heart out but. And I am honestly not making this up – a brief reunion ensued.
However, Sharon eventually left Phil, who later married Kat Slater, and Sharon found romance with another Mitchell man.
By the way, how the writers thought that viewers would buy into a Sharon and Teddy love match – I don’t know!
But now the toxic couple are both single again. Cue a love triangle anyone?
During this year’s 40th anniversary special, a depressed and tortured Phil planned to take his own life, but was luckily saved.
And he took it upon himself to reveal his true feelings of undying love to Sharon – not a wise move.
Sharon explained she loved him too – but of course she would – she had just been dumped by Teddy and Phil was convenient.
She’s latching onto Phil until something better comes along. History proves it – right?
BROTHERLY LOVE
However, Phil was floored when she confessed that she had slept with his brother Grant again while he was unwell in hospital.
And a visibly upset Phil shouted at her to get out – and you know what – I agree with him. Haven’t they done enough to each other?
Come on writers give us a happy ending for both of them and not more of the same old storyline over and over again.
After the doom and gloom of the last few months viewers deserve it.
But no doubt Sharon will get her claws back into Phil I just hope it doesn’t push his recovery back.
Because, after his emotional and heart breaking mental health story – it wouldn’t take much to break him.
For if there is anything more certain in soap land – Sharon won’t stick around with Phil.
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EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC Iplayer.
