![\"Russell](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/560765-28d7.jpg\")
\n\t\tRussell Delaney has made quite a mark on the Mitchells (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tRussell Delaney has made quite a mark on the Mitchells (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
EastEnders<\/a> has made reference to Russell Delaney<\/a>, an old acquaintance of Grant and Phil Mitchell<\/a>\u2019s (Ross Kemp<\/a> and Steve McFadden<\/a>), who has been making Mark Fowler Jr<\/a>\u2019s (Stephen Aaron-Sipple<\/a>) life a living hell.<\/p>\n Mark, as viewers know, has got himself wrapped up in dodgy dealings<\/a> since returning to the Square, begging uncle Phil to bail him out when he got in over his head.<\/p>\n Though Phil has left the world of criminality and corruption in the past, his reputation proceeds him and thus he was able to buy Mark some time to pay back the money he owes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Phil suggested at the time that he work off his debt with shifts at the Boxing Den, using the money he earns to pay off the gangsters who are hounding him. <\/p>\n Mark has also been dealing in dodgy cars with Lauren Branning<\/a> (Jacqueline Jossa<\/a>) but despite his best efforts, he\u2019s not succeeded in raising enough cash to keep the baddies from his door. <\/p>\n With estranged dad Grant back in Walford, Mark is adamant that he wants to sort this mess by himself but Grant is determined to prove himself to his son and therefore \u2013 given that he, Phil and Sam<\/a> (Kim Medcalf<\/a>) go way back with kingpin Russell \u2013 he takes matters into his own hands.<\/p>\n But just who is this Russell Delaney who keeps getting name-dropped? We have the answers \u2013 and his secret connection to Sam has now been confirmed. <\/p>\n Who is Russell Delaney in EastEnders and what\u2019s his connection to the Mitchells?<\/p>\n As made clear in recent episodes, Russell Delaney is an old acquaintance of the Mitchell family. However, he had not appeared in the show before last week.<\/p>\n Hearing his name this week proved a blast from the past for Sam, who notified nephew Mark that she knew him from \u2018years ago\u2019, underplaying their true connection which would later come to light. <\/p>\n \t\t In Wednesday\u2019s (May 13) edition of the BBC<\/a> One soap, Mark sought a loan from Phil, who offered to pay \u00a330,000. Mark was still short \u00a360,000 and thus Grant wanted answers about the mess his son has got himself into.<\/p>\n Phil revealed that Delaney is a \u2018big deal\u2019 in the world of criminality. \u2018You know him from years ago. Used to knock about in Limehouse\u2019.<\/p>\n The revelation left Grant reeling as he remembered Russell as the \u2018plank that used to run the door down at Elsie\u2019s.\u2019 <\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t \t\t Grant wanted his number, hoping to reason with him, but Phil reiterated that they \u2018hated\u2019 each other. Grant was adamant he can handle Russell but it turned out that he slept with his wife years ago \u2013 and this just made the situation so much worse!<\/p>\n Mark was subsequently taken hostage by Delaney<\/a>, who doubled the young man\u2019s debt as he had him kidnapped and thrown in the back of the van. <\/p>\n The situation reaches a dramatic peak in upcoming scenes on the day of Nigel Bates<\/a>\u2019 (Paul Bradley) funeral \u2013 and more secrets about his past with Sam come to light!<\/p>\n It turns out that, after Grant slept with his wife, Russell turned his attention to Sam, with the two having a relationship of sorts. <\/p>\n Sam, however, wasn\u2019t pleased when Russell got back with his wife and therefore stole a chain from the bedside table in revenge. <\/p>\n Who plays Russell Delaney in EastEnders?<\/p>\n Actor Anthony Skordi plays Russel Delaney in\u00a0EastEnders<\/a>.<\/p>\n Anthony\u2019s career began with guest roles in Soldier Soldier and The Bill. He went on to feature in dramas including Law & Order: Organised Crime, CBS\u2019s Scorpion, and Prime Suspect 1973.<\/p>\n Gaming fans will recognise Anthony\u2019s voice, as he portrayed The Dealer in Hand of Fate, Tenebrae in Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Admiral Garrick Versio in\u00a0Star Wars<\/a>\u00a0Battlefront II.<\/p>\n His voice is also recognisable as Pythagoras in\u00a0Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/a>\u00a0Odyssey.<\/p>\n EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on\u00a0BBC<\/a>\u00a0One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Russell](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_298190193-a324.jpg\")
\n\t\tRussell Delaney has tormented Mark \u2013 and has a history with the Mitchells (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779325217_148_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tNow you can ensure you never miss a story from the Soaps team<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/560755-1573.jpg\")
\n\t\tMark\u2019s life has been made hell by Delaney (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Sam,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779325219_872_560767-bbe5.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe truth about Delaney\u2019s secret past with the Mitchell trio is revealed (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: EastEnders confirms crushing exit and a nation\u2019s heart is broken<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Sam\u2019s exit storyline confirmed in EastEnders \u2013 and she\u2019s not going alone<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: The final Nigel goodbye promises exceptional Phil and Julie scenes in EastEnders<\/a><\/p>\n