Kat Slater and Phil Mitchell looking through a box of belongings in EastEnders.
Kat Slater and Phil Mitchell have been re-cast for a special reason (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Characters like Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) are synonymous with EastEnders, but they are set to get a brand new look with an unexpected re-cast.

Actor Steve McFadden has played the role of Phil since 1990, and has been involved in some major storylines, including the iconic Who Shot Phil? whodunnit.

Earlier this year, he won his first National Television Award when he was voted Best Serial Drama Performance.

Jessie Wallace has also been at the forefront of some major stories, having played Kat since 2000.

Viewers will remember the legendary scene that saw her reveal to Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) that she wasn’t her sister, but her mother.

However, in a special scene for Children in Need this year, two new stars will be taking on the roles.


The iconic characters will be played by children (Picture: BBC)


It’s all part of a sketch for Children in Need (Picture: BBC)

16-year-old Children in Need presenter Lenny Rush is temporarily given the power to place kids at the heart of BBC television, and he and Pudsey Bear have big plans!

EastEnders is one show that gets Lenny’s treatment, with child actors set to play Kat, Phil and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).

There will also be an appearance from EastEnders regulars Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).

In true EastEnders fashion, tensions in the Queen Vic are set to run high, with accusations of misplaced property being thrown out left and right.


Lauren Branning and Alfie Moon will also appear in the sketch (Picture: BBC)


There will be tension in the Vic (Picture: BBC)

As well as the EastEnders sketch, tonight’s Children in Need will be jam packed with emotional performances, special moments and sketches.

Over the years, EastEnders has put together some incredible sketches for Children in Need, including musical and Disney medleys, dance routines and even a crossover with ITV soap Coronation Street.

Kat was also a featured character in the East Street crossover, where she kicked Michelle Connor out of the Vic for flirting with Alfie over karaoke, before finding out that Liz McDonald was her long lost mother!

Of course, this didn’t translate to actual EastEnders canon, but it was fun to imagine for a little while.

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