EastEnders wouldn’t be the same without its iconic doof-doofs, the drum beats signalling upheaval, heartbreak and some of the show’s biggest cliffhangers. Since its debut in 1985, EastEnders has been known for its dramatic cliffhangers, with some of the soap’s biggest stars stealing the limelight more than others. Topping the list with a whopping 361 doof-doofs is none other than EastEnders stalwart Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), the undisputed drama king. Since his arrival in 1990, Phil’s life has been a rollercoaster of crime, addiction, violence and family treachery. Whether he’s dodging bullets, embroiled in perilous feuds with characters like Johnny Allen, Derek Branning and Nick Cotton, or striving to keep the Mitchell dynasty afloat, Phil is always at the epicentre of Walford’s most jaw-dropping moments. His tumultuous relationships with Kathy, Lisa and later Sharon have all culminated in explosive scenes. Fans still recall the infamous Sharongate, when Grant discovered his brother Phil was having an affair with his wife Sharon, shattering the Mitchell code. The brothers’ rivalry gave viewers plenty of heated showdowns as their power struggle ensnared wives, lovers and even their own mother Peggy. It seems strife is a family trait for Phil, as his stormy relationship with son Ben has also led to endless conflict. But beneath his hard shell, Phil has grappled with profound personal issues. His long-standing battle with alcoholism has been a cornerstone of his character, with some of his most heart-wrenching moments stemming from this addiction. More recently, his mental health has been thrust into the spotlight in a harrowing storyline, as Phil becomes more isolated than ever.
Sharon Watts and Phil Mitchell both lead the pack with a staggering amount of doof-doofs under their belts, even years after the infamous Sharongate
(Image: BBC)
Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, is a bona fide soap queen with 254 doof-doofs under her belt. First introduced in 1985 as the adopted daughter of Angie and Den Watts, Sharon quickly won over viewers as a curly-haired teenager vying for her parents’ attention. However, after Den’s infamous doof-doof divorce papers to Angie, Sharon found herself embroiled in her own whirlwind of scandals. Love has always been a rocky road for Sharon. From her first flame Simon Wicks to her scandalous liaison with Dennis Rickman (her stepbrother, no less), she seems magnetically drawn to men who spell trouble. Her fling with younger man Keanu Taylor stirred up old drama when she fell pregnant with his child while still married to Phil. The heartbreaking death of her son Denny, Keanu’s brutal end, and her role in covering it up have cemented Sharon as one of Albert Square’s most tragic characters. Not far behind with 218 doof-doofs is Ian Beale, portrayed by Adam Woodyatt, the show’s longest-standing character. Starting out as a humble chip shop worker, Ian has transformed into a prosperous businessman, though his success often comes at the expense of friendships, relationships, and even his mental health. His ongoing feud with Phil has sparked some of EastEnders’ most explosive clashes, usually leaving Ian on the losing side. His personal life is equally tumultuous; with five marriages under his belt, none of which ended well. Two of his ex-wives – Cindy and Sharon – have even tried to bump him off! But nothing compares to the devastating loss of his daughter Lucy, which set off one of EastEnders’ most gripping mysteries.
Ian, one of EastEnders longest-standing characters, has a total of 218 doof-doofs to his name
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
In recent times, Ian made a dramatic return to Albert Square after a three-year hiatus, with Cindy also making a surprise comeback from beyond the grave. It’s a testament to Ian’s resilience that he always manages to bounce back, even when teetering on the brink of another catastrophe. The fiery Stacey Slater nabs fourth place with 162 doof-doofs under her belt. Lacey Turner, who portrays Stacey, marked two decades on the show last year, having started as a rebellious teenager ousted by her mother Jean. But Stacey quickly showed she was more than just a troublemaker. Armed with the Slater family’s knack for survival, Stacey has cooked up savvy money-making schemes while navigating her own share of drama. Fans still reminisce about her tumultuous love affair with Bradley Branning, which imploded mere months after their Christmas Day wedding in 2007 when he discovered her infidelity with his father Max. Fast forward two years, and Stacey turned murderer, fatally attacking Archie Mitchell in the Queen Vic for sexually assaulting her. While Bradley was initially the prime suspect and tragically fell to his death from the Vic roof, Stacey ended up serving five years for the horrific crime, gaining her freedom in 2021. However, her romantic life continues to be a rollercoaster, from her relationship with Ryan Malloy and her on-again-off-again fling with Martin Fowler, to her bitter rivalries with Janine Butcher and Ruby Allen. Her battles with bipolar disorder and post-partum psychosis have been pivotal to her character development, sparking important conversations around mental health. Now, Stacey, a bap van owner and single mum-of-three, is doing her best to keep things afloat. She notably turned to sex work, which led to a chilling stalking ordeal with Theo Hawthorne and sparked serious conversations about the very real dangers of the sex industry.
Kat Slater was embroiled in drama from day one, when her sister Zoe was revealed to be her biological daughter
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace, made her dramatic entrance in 2000 and with 160 doof-doofs under her belt, she’s always in the thick of it. One of EastEnders’ most iconic moments was when she dropped the bombshell that she was Zoe’s mother, not her sister, unveiling a heart-wrenching storyline about her past, including the abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle. Kat’s romantic life has been equally as tumultuous. Her on-again-off-again relationship with Alfie Moon has seen its fair share of passionate reunions and bitter betrayals. She’s also been Mrs Phil Mitchell and even had a fling with Nish Panesar, proving she’s never lacking in suitors. One of her most distressing storylines involved her baby being swapped at birth, leading to months of anguish before she was finally reunited with him. More recently, Kat has been dealing with her increasingly aggressive son Tommy following her split from fiery Phil and has been supporting her friend Bianca Jackson through her battle with depression. Despite their notorious antics in Albert Square, some of EastEnders’ most infamous characters haven’t claimed as many doof-doofs as you might expect. Janine Butcher, despite her reputation as a cunning schemer and killer, has only clocked up 104 doof-doofs. From shoving Barry Evans off a cliff to framing Linda, her crimes are the stuff of soap legend, yet the drumbeats have often bypassed her. Original character Nick Cotton, known for his violent streak, was the focus of just 35 doof-doofs, while Dean Wicks shockingly only scored 22 doof-doofs. Serial killer Gray Atkins, who chillingly dispatched five residents during his time on the show, including his own wife Chantelle, has been at the centre of a mere 19 doof-doofs. His storyline unfolded as a slow-burning nightmare that kept viewers on tenterhooks. Now, as EastEnders celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to captivate an expanding audience with gripping plots, candid discussions and moving moments. As long as those iconic drums keep rolling, fans can be sure they’ll never be short of drama. Doof-Doof count in full: Phil Mitchell 361 Sharon Watts 254 Ian Beale 218 Stacey Slater 162 Kat Slater 160 Max Branning 152 Grant Mitchell 135 Kathy Cotton 130 Alfie Moon 126 Michelle Fowler 126 Pat Evans 122 Dot Branning 121 Mick Carter 118 Ben Mitchell 116 Pauline Fowler 115 Linda Carter 108 Janine Butcher 104 Mark Fowler 103 Ronnie Branning 99 Peggy Mitchell 98
