Billy Murray has called for Steve McFadden to be knighted.
Steve McFadden as Phil
The 79-year-old actor believes his former 'EastEnders' co-star puts in such hard graft that he deserves to be recognised by Queen Elizabeth for his efforts.
He said: "Steve McFadden should be knighted. He works so hard. He should be Sir Steve."
Billy played gangster Johnny Allen in the BBC One show from 2005 to 2006, and he found it "tough" working in a soap.
He added to the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "He [Steve] has been in 'EastEnders' forever and it is tough working in a soap."
The former 'The Bill' star recently insisted he doesn't think Hollywood stars such as Robert De Niro or Al Pacino would be able to make it in Soapland.
He said: "Being in a soap or continuing drama is one of the hardest jobs on TV. De Niro or Pacino couldn’t do what Steve McFadden or Danny Dyer do in 'EastEnders'.
"None of those big names could walk in and do it because they’d want rehearsals and you there’s no time for that, and it’s all shot out of sequence.
"I look back at those shows fondly.
"Someone posted my very first scene from 'The Bill' on Twitter recently and I could remember every single word like it was yesterday."
Billy's character Johnny was killed off in 2006, but that hasn't stopped fans from begging him to return to Walford.
However, the star has no plans to return to Albert Square.
He said: "I keep getting asked on social media when I’m going back, people are adamant it’s happening because they show my picture on Ruby’s desk all the time.
"He can’t be alive! I have to refute it each time. He could maybe come back as a twin brother, or step out of the shower like Bobby Ewing in Dallas if his death turned out to be a dream.
"Though I don’t look good in the shower any more so I’m ruling that one out."
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