EastEnders actor Steve McFadden, known to millions as Phil Mitchell, swam a mile across open water on 31 May to support the RNLI. He joined 38 other swimmers to cross the River Fal in Cornwall and finished in an impressive 46 minutes.

Steve says the worst part was 10 minutes in: ‘It was quite choppy with a swell running and it made the going tough, but once I cleared that I got into a rhythm … The best bit was as I neared the beach and I could see the sand beneath me; it’s quite reassuring to be able to see the bottom!’

Other swimmers included Ann Jordan, one of the UK’s first female lifeguards, and lifeboat Crew Member Marc Thomas.

The event was organised as part of the RNLI’s Swim-a-mile campaign, which asks supporters to swim a mile and raise sponsorship. The mile can be completed in one go or over several legs, individually or in a group, in the sea or in a pool. For more information, email Hannah Carling on [email protected].