I don't remember Phil getting custody of Ben, the social were not that I recall involved when Ben came to live in the UK, Ben was staying with Ian initially then moved in with Phil? Although this was one of the weakest periods of EE and I was furious that they decided to kill off Kathy so I may have zoned out a bit and missed something.

The problem with Sharon and Phil faking a relationship is that the social will assess it on how long they have been together and will require some sort of proof of that. They will also be doing regular checks on Lexi and Phil's situation so it is not ideal. At least when Shirley helped Phil with Louise they were in a relationship of sorts and Shirley wanted to be with him.

BIB1:Phil won a custody battle. As for Sharon and Phil, I understand the SS would look into their relationship, but I suppose this where the likes of Ian, Jack and Tanya would come in as people who know them to validate their relationship.

Also on the second BIB I I would imagine Sharon would end up moving in with Phil to enable the image a relationship was going on to work, as would Lola.

me either, but I can see him trying yet again to play 'father' and unfortunately I can see Lola suffering from the same treatment that Lisa got if she tries to keep hold of her daughter

I cannot see how Lexi can be separated from Lola, it is just not realistic.

I can't see Jack helping him...Phil supported Roxy in the custody battle for Amy, and why would he want to lose Sharon to Phil. She would have to move in with him as the SSs would do follow up visits.
Ian...again I can't see him helping Phil to get his hands on his neice. He knows what Phil is capable of and already feels guilty that he did not do more to protect Ben.

I'd love Shirley to walk in during the ' happy couple's ' SS assessment and tell them a few truths about her recently jilted, alcoholic fiance.

they might not believe her

I doubt that, if her return anything like how she is already she'll just throw some empty threats at Phil.
He wont give into her demands as his not scared of Shirley and already knows he can control her. (she already lied for him, if she grasses him up she'll also be in trouble and she'll get longer because she took so long to tell the truth).
Shirley should just grass him up and forget the Mitchells, I'd hate for a long Phil/Shirley fued.

it wont be anything like that. she'll come back stronger and she'll have a hold over phil so he will have to do as she says or he knows she'll say something. it's gonna be a long running s/l till steve's panto break.

she is close with lola so if phil wont let lola live with them she'll do everything she can to help lola get lexi back

I do hope she comes back stronger. However Shirley known from the reveal its been months now and she hasnt told and she lied. Phil might feel confident in thinking she wont tell.

i agree

she's been away trying to get herself together i doubt they would bring her back and do the same thing as before. if they dont do anything she will continue being a doormatt to most people so they must do something

I think she will be stronger, she would have had a good talking to by Carly.

She is no longer alone in the world and not so blinded by love.

True. I hope her return good and she returns stronger.
It would be nice if she helped Lola get Lexi back and at the same time send Phil to prison. Then she should concentrate on family and friends (I'd like to see Matt/Deano return).
I do hope Lola ges Lexi back, she a great mother.
I wonder if after the fake engagement if Sharon will persuade Phil to give Lexi back, she has a close and protective relationship towards Denny so as a mother she must know how Lola feeling to be without her daughter.

sharon has been the one whos telling phil to fight for his family and he's doing that. if he gives her back to lola then he'd be doing the opposite of what she said

I took that as get Lexi bac and away from the foster home. To keep his family together and help Lola etc. It was just a thought but I think your probably right about Shirley being involved in getting Lexi back to Lola.

Tell me, Phil isn't getting custody of Lexi

I did't include Jack for Phil, I included Jack in regards to helping Sharon. You'd probably have some scene where Sharon 'reassures' him, that it's only fake with Phil and he reluctantly accepts. This is Jack Branning, and this is EE we are dealing with here. Same with Tanya - Ian's the one missing link, where Phil would try and bully him into it and he could relent.

phil will make it look worse than it actually is just to wind jack up..

I think it's great that the writers are actually using Phil properly again.

Phil has a purpose now and helping Billy and Lola out is a great way to get a lot of characters involved like Cora,Abi,Jay,Sharon and when she returns Shirley.

I think Shirley's return could prove fantastic as she had a bond with Lola before she left.

Incredibly embarrassing and an insult to the intelligence of viewers. However, ten million moronic viewers still lap it up every week, allowing the show to keep doing it.

Ah OK.
Ian is a weak link and so could Jay be. Then there is Shirley...all three of them know that he is the father from hell, all three of them could shop him to the police. Jay in particular has nothing to lose.

in 'real life' Phil WOULDN'T be granted custody.
His background would be deemed to worrying. plus, he would need to have all sorts of assesments.

Social services do talk to the police, so therefore, the police would of updated them with information about his relationship with his other children.

Tbh, Eastenders is getting most things ring e.g. how some social workers are. the only problem is the legal side.

& this whole thing about faking a relationship Sharon, wouldn't work either tbh.

BIB: I agree, Bathsheba. That is the unrealistic and ridiculous part of this so called storyline. There's so much wrong with the storyline that it's hard to even take it seriously if I'm being honest.

So do I

Lol Oh, believe me, I agree. Philth is far from a king, but that seems to be his "title" on EE nowadays. The writers seem obsessed more than ever in recent years of showing how Philth is the "King of the Square". But I agree, I've always just seen him as just a thuggish bully and two-bit criminal - nothing more. He use to crap himself at the very sight of the likes of Jack Dalton, Andy Hunter and other similar gangsters.