EastEnders spoilers follow for Tuesday’s (December 23) episode, which is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Daniel Delaney and Teddy Jay have made yet another return to EastEnders as a younger iteration of Phil and Grant Mitchell.
Young Grant and Phil appear as part of a special episode that focuses on Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who was diagnosed with dementia last year.
Following a screening of his film, Nigel entered the Vic while wanting some alone time, and his memories and altered reality took him back to the 1990s.
He was met with numerous faces from the past, including Walford legend Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) and her stepson Barry (Shaun Williamson), in addition to his wife Debbie (Nicole Duffett), who tragically died in 1995.
Nigel also saw young versions of Phil and Grant, which allowed for actors Daniel and Teddy to reprise their roles.
The stars have stepped into the shoes of Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp on a number of occasions thus far, and have always received critical acclaim for their performances.
First appearing in the 2022 Mitchell flashback episode alongside Jaime Winstone, who portrayed a young version of the legend that is Peggy Mitchell, the boys returned to the soap earlier this year in February as part of Phil’s mental health storyline amid the show’s 40th anniversary.
But what have Teddy and Daniel said about the roles, and where have we seen them before?
Who is young Phil Mitchell star Daniel Delaney?
With a striking resemblance to Steve McFadden both in terms of physicality and vocality, 28-year-old Daniel Delaney returns to EastEnders as the legendary hard man.
Previous credits include minor roles in BAFTA-winning comedy We Are Lady Parts and a short film, Sensational Simmy!
He also appeared in a voiceover for the 2019 Elton John biopic Rocketman, and had a part in a Sam Fender music video.
You may have also spotted him in adverts for Gumtree, Uber Eats, and Amazon Prime Video.
He studied Theatre Arts at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, before taking on a course at The Arnould School of Dance & Drama.
Speaking of taking on the Phil role in 2022, Daniel said: ‘‘I think it’s important to show the different modes of his character.
‘Everyone knows Phil now as Mr Macho, a gangster that is feared by many but it’s his journey from a teenage boy that made him that way and it’s important that he and the Mitchell family have their story told, especially in the late 70s when Great Britain’s economy was fractured.’
Who is young Grant Mitchell star Teddy Jay?
Teddy takes on the role of Grant Mitchell in the special EastEnders episode.
He trained in acting at the Rose Bruford College, and has appeared in a number of stage roles at the establishment, and as Tylbalt in the short film Tybalt & Mercutio.
The 2022 flashback was his first television appearance, and he will play Jack Steel in the Aaron Taylor-Johnson crime thriller Fuze.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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