It’s been reported by The Sun and the Daily Mail today that EastEnders star and keen sailor Steve McFadden – who of course plays Phil Mitchell – is to join a flotilla of around 1,000 boats on the River Thames for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Steve, who’s described as “an ardent royalist” will sail his boat ‘Barbara’ in the pageant, which will be headed by the RNLI.

The vessels will set out from Battersea Bridge and sail to Tower Bridge on June 3rd.

Steve – who’s also starred in films Kevin & Perry Go Large and Provoked, as well as BBC One anthology series Murder in Mind – told the Sun’s TV Biz, “It’s an absolute honour to be taking part in the pageant for the Diamond Jubilee…

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will be a moment in history that will always be remembered.

“I’m really looking forward to being out on the river with friends and family. To mark this historic moment will be extremely special.”

And a friend of Steve’s added, “Steve applied to take part because he’s a lifelong supporter of the Queen and he also supports the RNLI and thought this would be a good way to help raise their profile.”

Steve’s former EastEnders co-star Barbara Windsor – who of course played Phil’s mum Peggy Mitchell, and coincidentally, Steve’s real life mum is also called Barbara – is the ambassador for the Diamond Jubilee Street Party celebrations.