EastEnders' McFadden hurt on set

Steve McFadden joined the EastEnders cast in 1990

EastEnders star Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell in the soap, has had an emergency operation on his hand after falling down stairs on set.

Doctors put pins in his bones and gave him 30 stitches after he was taken to hospital near the BBC One show's Hertfordshire studios.

The 49-year-old star, who missed two days of filming, has gone back to work with a splint in his arm.

"I'm feeling much better," the actor told The Sun newspaper.

Health and safety officials are currently investigating the incident.