SOAP villain Phil Mitchell posed for a picture with a Poole business owner earlier today.

Rob Eaton, managing director of Poole based Sign It, saw actor Steve McFadden, famous for playing Eastenders bad boy Phil Mitchell on the long-running BBC serial, at the Sunseeker stand during the Southampton Boat Show.

Mr Eaton said the star is nothing like his alter-ego, describing him as a “top bloke”.

“He is a really nice guy and was happy to chat and have a picture with me,” he added.

Mr McFadden has featured in Eastenders since 1990 as one of the thuggish Mitchell brothers.