EastEnders is reportedly lining up a heartbreaking new storyline for Phil Mitchell this

Christmas.

According to The Sun, the character will begin to have suicidal thoughts after feeling

abandoned by his family.

Phil began to burn bridges with his friends and family earlier this summer, causing multiple arguments and eventually leading Denise to move out and tell him that he was going to end up a ‘very lonely man’.

Phil has become increasingly isolated and lonely in recent scenes, but he refuses to open up about his emotions.

While nothing has been confirmed by the soap, The Sun has reported that Phil’s mood will continue to deteriorate over the festive period, leading him to have suicidal thoughts.

There’s also been some speculation that Phil’s brother Grant, played by Ross Kemp, could return for the storyline.

Digital Spy reached out to EastEnders, but they declined to comment.

In scenes set to air on the BBC soap next week, Ruby Allen will make an explosive return to Albert Square following her stint in prison. The character is set for a potentially nasty surprise when she finds out that Phil has sold her former nightclub.

Louisa Lytton, who plays Ruby, recently revealed that her character has changed significantly since she was imprisoned.

“Now she’s a mum, she does have her priorities in order. Although she’ll still make mistakes, I don’t think she’ll go out of her way to make mistakes or make wrong decisions like she has done in the past,” she told The Sun‘s TV Mag.

“Being a mum has finally given Ruby a purpose in life, which I think has been something that’s been missing for a long time.”