EastEnders has confirmed Phil Mitchell’s big secret in Nicola Mitchell’s ongoing revenge plot.

Nicola arrived on the Square last month, and instantly clashed with Sharon Watts, who is in a

relationship with Nicola’s ex-husband Teddy.

Sharon rebuffed Teddy’s attempts to win her over back in July, but the pair have since started to grow closer, leaving Nicola furious.

Nicola has since tried to break up the relationship, as she is desperate to win Teddy back herself.

Tonight’s (December 9) episode saw Nicola prepare for the opening of the new bar, which she has named Harry’s Barn after her and Teddy’s son.

A passing Phil shared his confusion over the bar’s name change, with Nicola urging him to “worry” more about Teddy being seen with “an ex of yours”.

After spending the night together, Teddy and Sharon decided to tell their exes that they are in a relationship.

“If you diffuse that bomb, I won’t have to look over both shoulders,” Sharon explained.

At the bar, Teddy revealed to his ex-wife and sons that he was giving things a go with Sharon, before sharing his intention to keep things “low key” to avoid any arguments.

Nicola seemed “happy” with the news, inviting Sharon along to the bar’s opening, but quickly approached Phil to rile him up, so that he would ruin the relationship.

“Sharon has got her claws into my Teddy, they’re an item. I mean, I know it’s only been a year since her ex was murdered and his killer’s still on the loose, but life’s too short not to enjoy yourself, eh?” Nicola said, though Phil remained unbothered.

Later, the Mitchells gathered at the bar for the reopening, where Teddy warned Nicola not to pull any more “stunts”, otherwise he’d take the kids away from her.

When Phil arrived, Nicola quickly took him aside to try to convince him to be her co-conspirator.

“I’m old school, but I think family should stick together as best they can, and I want my family back together. I thought you did too?” she said.

“So, when you go home to your big, old, empty house, you think about that… If I were you, I’d stick around until the party’s over, and then you and me, we can talk tactics.”

After failing to get Phil onside, Nicola headed over to Number 55 to try again, but she was shocked to find that Phil was living in squalor. Will she tell the rest of the family?

EastEnders is reportedly lining up a heartbreaking storyline for Phil this Christmas, which will see the character experience suicidal thoughts after feeling abandoned by his family.