Arriving in Albert Square as a small-time crook, Billy was a bully who did the Michell brothers’ (his cousins Grant and Phil), dirty work for them – and then usually got bullied himself. Always desperate for his family’s approval and always seen as the runt, Billy Mitchell, over the years…

With Cindy’s looks, you would think Peter may have developed his father Ian’s business sense, but Lucy got all that. Twin Peter got the handsome gene from his mum – and boy does he know it!

The undisputed king of the hard men of Walford, from the moment Phil Mitchell first stepped onto the Square in 1990 with his brother Grant, history was made. While Mitchell family members have been and gone over the years, Phil has been an the centre of the family since day…

Working on her mother’s hat stall was never going to please Cindy Williams – no, she wanted money and status and power and was not one to live a boring, discontented little housewife. That’s why it didn’t work between her and first husband Ian Beale. At least that’s what she…

Depending on who he’s married to, what time of the week it is, which business is booming and whether his children are at war, Ian Beale is the man you either hate with a passion or feel sorry for and want to give him a hug. Or at least a…

The original ‘Princess’ of Albert Square, Sharon Watts was the adopted daughter Queen Vic icons Den and Angie Watts. It may have given her local icon status, but all of the headache as she watched her parents’ marriage disintegrate at an alarming rate, as she was caught in the middle…

Kathy Cotton has been part of the fabric of Albert Square since the very beginning, and has the unenviable job of being Ian Beale’s mum. I mean, someone has to be right? Nope, despite appearances, Kathy is a boat load of compassion wrapped up in a warm hug – providing…