Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) has fallen well and truly off the wagon.
And it seems as if the alcoholic’s return to binge-drinking is going to have serious consequences.
After noticing a mass of purple and black bruising on his side, Phil seeks help at his local hospital - where he is soon told that he has cirrhosis of the liver.
The life-threatening disease causes the deaths of around 4,000 people per year in the UK, and 700 people with the condition need a liver transplant to survive.
Will Phil Mitchell live to see another Christmas?
Andrew Langford, Chief Executive of British Liver Trust, commented: “Unfortunately Phil’s alcohol related health problems are not unique or that unusual. Currently in the UK we have an epidemic of liver disease and still the main cause of death from liver disease is alcohol related.
“It is the third leading cause of premature death in the UK – but is misunderstood and rarely considered in the way of other serious health conditions so it’s really important that EastEnders have chosen to tackle this serious problem."
He continued: “In the UK, the prevalence of liver disease has increased by over 400% in a generation, so it’s fantastic that EastEnders have decided to highlight how people can quite literally drink themselves to death. It is important, however, for everyone to understand that drinking too much like Phil can easily lead to alcohol dependence or addiction and severe, if not fatal, liver damage.
"We all need to have a much better awareness of the damage alcohol is causing and consequently have a much more compassionate understanding of how and why Phil is causing himself so much harm and the devastating affect this is having on his wife, son and others.
“It is creditworthy that the EastEnders team have ensured that this is being portrayed as realistically as possible and have paid such attention to show how so many are affected when a family member has alcohol related liver disease.
“I would urge everyone in the UK to think seriously about the amount they are drinking by drinking within the recommended guidelines and importantly having two to three consecutive days off alcohol every week.”
The hard-hitting storyline will begin in the next few weeks.