EastEnders viewers have been left stunned after veteran character Billy Mitchell revealed his real age.
Billy, who is played by actor Perry Fenwick, is currently at the centre of a dramatic storyline after discovering that his ex-wife Honey is in a relationship with his foster son Jay Brown.
His shocking age was revealed in last night’s episode (2 February) when he went to confide in his cousin Phil after falling out with Honey when he told their children Janet and Will that she’s romantically involved with Jay.
But, never one to mince his words, Phil bluntly told Billy, “Look at yourself, a 60-year-old and you’re a mess.”
Billy then replied, “61, actually.”
Gobsmacked viewers could barely believe their ears and took to social media to share their surprise at the revelation.
“Shut up! Did I hear right then? Billy Mitchell is 61,” wrote one.
CHECK OUT child soap stars - where are they now?
Child soap stars - where are they now? SLIDER with cover pic
1 of 19child soap stars
2 of 19Molly Conlin (Dotty Cotton)
Molly played Nasty Nick's daughter Dotty Cotton in EastEnders between 2008-10 and caused endless mischief with Tiffany Butcher. But where is she now...
3 of 19Molly Conlin (Dotty Cotton)
... 16-year-old Molly is now at college concentrating on her studies. After leaving the soap, the actress starred in Annabel's Kitchen, Horrible Histories and Blandings as well as adverts for Ragu Pasta Sauce and Bold 2 In 1.
4 of 19Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster)
Corrie's bad girl had some meaty storylines including being kidnapped (twice!) and dealing with her mother's breast cancer diagnosis. Helen left the soap in 2011, but what has she been up to since?
5 of 19Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster)
Six years since leaving the soap, the actress has appeared in I'm a Celeb, Celebrity Super Spa, Celebrity Wedding Planner and Holby City. She has had her first child Matilda with Scott Sinclair. So adorbs!
6 of 19Melissa Suffield (Lucy Beale)
Before Hetti Bywater, The Square's tearaway Lucy Beale was played by Melissa Suffield. But where is Mel now...
7 of 19Melissa Suffield (Lucy Beale)
...since leaving Walford, Melissa has evolved as an actress and has since starred in Casualty and played the role of Norma Jean in a musical about Marilyn Monroe.
8 of 19Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham)
Ellis Hollins has played Hollyoak's Tom Cunningham since he was just four-years-old and his storylines have gripped us all, from dealing with his mother's shock death to dealings with Sienna Blake... But where is Tom now?
9 of 19Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham)
Fourteen years later, Ellis is still in Hollyoaks (as lovable as ever) and was even spotted in Ibiza partying! Oh and he won a British Soap Award, no biggie!
10 of 19Sam Aston (Chesney Brown)
Sam Aston played the adorable Corrie's Chesney Brown since 2003. Speaking about life growing up on a popular soap, he said 'At 16, all my mates were getting fake IDs and going to pubs I always knew I couldn't do that.' But where is Sam Aston now?
11 of 19Sam Aston (Chesney Brown)
Sam is engaged to his girlfriend of five years Briony Gardner! The star had previously said: 'I do think I'm romantic. I like to treat my girlfriend, buy her flowers and make a fuss of her.'
12 of 19Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle)
Eden Taylor-Draper has played Belle Dingle since 2005, when she fell down a mineshaft on Christmas day. Speaking about being a child actor she said at the time, 'there is no time to go off the rails like Belle, I go home and learn my lines and I am in bed by 9pm!' Where is Eden now?
13 of 19Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle)
Eden is still in Emmerdale and recently was involved in a storyline where Belle pretended to be pregnant to keep her boyfriend. Uh oh.
14 of 19Charlie Jones (Ben Mitchell)
'Enders troublemaker Ben Mitchell has been played by a handful of actors, but we'll never forget the sweet Charlie Jones who was tormented by the evil Stella. Where is Charlie now?
15 of 19Charlie Jones (Ben Mitchell)
Charlie is now studying acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts – he looks COMPLETELY different to his Walford days.
16 of 19Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning)
Albert Square's favourite ginge (apart from his onscreen dad Max, obv) Bradley, was a knitted jumper-wearing sweetheart and made us want to pinch his cheeks through the television between 2006 - 2010. We are still getting over his tragic fall, where he saw his grizzly end. Where is Charlie now?
17 of 19Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning)
We hardly recognise Charlie Clements with a beard! The actor uploaded the snap to Twitter with the caption. "A year ago everyone was up in arms because I looked SO different at 28 to 18.. bet they didn't expect this at 29! #actor 'chameleon', He has since starred as Charlie Brackenreid in Murdoch Mystereries.
18 of 19Sonny Flood (Josh Ashworth)
Of course you remember Hollyoak's rather swishy-haired Josh Ashworth! His character was best known for dating Amy Barnes and an array of outlandish storylines including attempted murder, underage sex, drugs, drinking and joy riding. Where is Sonny now?
19 of 19Sonny Flood (Josh Ashworth
Sonny has since completed a law degree at the University of Manchester, working as a paralegal. Miles away from underage drinking a pint at The Dog, eh!
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Another added, “Billy really 61? He looks the same as he did 30 years ago!"
A third remarked, “NO CHANCE is our Billy Mitchell 61 years of age. Plot twist of the century."
The character of Billy Mitchell first appeared in Albert Square in 1998, which means he would have been in his 30s at the time. Although the hapless market trader has already passed the milestone of 60, actor Perry Fenwick is actually younger at the age of 58.
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In other EastEnders news, Gray Atkins actor Toby Alexander-Smith is reportedly dating a rival soap star Amy Walsh.
Toby was first linked to Amy, who plays Tracy Metcalfe in Emmerdale, when they stepped out together to attend a production of A Christmas Carol in London.
A source told The Sun, "It’s early days but they really like each other.
“They’re both very busy with packed work schedules at opposite ends of the country, but they try to spend as much time together as they can.”
Toby’s character Gray first appeared on EastEnders in 2019 and was involved in a major domestic abuse storyline with his wife Chantelle, played by Jessica Plummer.