Meet the man who does THE BEST Shirley and Phil impression in hilarious Eastenders skits

A comedian with no formal acting training has built up a huge online following with his hilarious videos, including EastEnders sketches. 

Cole Anderson James, 25, from Essex, has no formal drama experience but ‘had a knack’ for performing so decided to leave his job in sales to become a full-time content creator on social media. 

The 25-year-old, who boasts 127,000 Instagram followers, has landed roles in projects including Ricky Gervais’ After Life, and has more work in the pipeline. 

Cole Anderson James, pictured on holiday with his girlfriend Crystal Wright, has built up a huge online following with his hilarious videos, including EastEnders sketches

Fans love his hilarious EastEnders skits which often involve the soap world's favourite on-off couple Phil Mitchell and Shirley Carter, played by Steve McFadden and Linda Henry. In the sketch above, Phil wants to know where Shirley is, as he sips a drink at the Old Vic

Fans love his hilarious EastEnders skits which often involve the soap world’s favourite on-off couple Phil Mitchell and Shirley Carter, played by Steve McFadden and Linda Henry. In the sketch above, Phil wants to know where Shirley is, as he sips a drink at the Old Vic

Cole loves taking on the role of EastEnders' Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden (pictured) but says he does not watch the soap on a regular basis

Cole loves taking on the role of EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden (pictured) but says he does not watch the soap on a regular basis

Phil and Shirley reunite in an 'emotional' scene after 'Phil' mistakes her for Ian Beale (Cole in a hat)

Phil and Shirley have an emotional hug on Eastenders

In one of Cole’s sketches, Phil and Shirley reunite in an ’emotional’ scene after ‘Phil’ mistakes her for Ian Beale (left). Right, the real Phil and Shirley share a hug on EastEnders

Fans love his hilarious EastEnders skits which often involve the soap world’s favourite on-off couple Phil Mitchell and Shirley Carter, played by Steve McFadden and Linda Henry. 

Anderson James has perfected the trademark ‘oi!’ often heard in soaps, and dons a bleach blonde wig for the role of Shirley. 

Playing the part of both characters, the actor shows his comedic diversity and talent for accents. 

The actor also does ‘real life’ clips, involving everyday situations. Such as the embarrassment of the ‘secret playlist’ or how annoying it is to have a scrounger mate. 

He told FEMAIL: ‘I now do content creating full time, I’ve had parts in a few things and have a few projects coming up that I can’t reveal right now.

In some of the sketches, Cole plays multiple role. In this one he is both Phil Mitchell

Cole as Ian Beale (played on the soap by Adam Woodyatt)

In some of the sketches, Cole plays multiple role. In this one he is both Phil Mitchell (left) and Ian Beale (played on the soap by Adam Woodyatt) 

'Peggy' who was played by Barbara Windsor, also makes an appearance in one of the latest clips

Barbara Windsor

In one recent clips, Cole takes on the role of Peggy, famously played by the late Barbara Windsor (right) 

'Oi!' Cole's Eastenders impressions have people in stitches, with a makeshift Queen Vic in this skit Phil confronts a love rival over Shirley and reveals some 'devastating news'

‘Oi!’ Cole’s Eastenders impressions have people in stitches, with a makeshift Queen Vic in this skit Phil confronts a love rival over Shirley and reveals some ‘devastating news’

‘I used to be a salesman, so as boring as it gets, but decided to get into social media full time. I’ve never been to drama school and guess I just have a knack for it. 

‘I do all my own stuff online because, well, I’m a boss.’

Cole’s partner Crystal Wright, who is also a comedy content creator sometimes features in his clips. 

He attended Leeds University and now has an acting agent and has had a part in Afterlife’s third season.

Cole with actor and comedian Ricky Gervais - the actor has a part in Gervais' third series of Afterlife

Cole with actor and comedian Ricky Gervais – the actor has a part in Gervais’ third series of Afterlife

Despite his aptitude for emulating soap’s finest figures Cole says: ‘I don’t really watch soaps, or TV, I do it because it’s funny. UK soaps always over-dramatise things.’

His most watched videos include trying to dodge ‘Linda’ from track and trace, a skit on dating that involves rising signs and many that depict how UK bouncers act toward men at clubs. 

One clip, shows a typical boyfriend and girlfriend exchange that many will find familiar. Cole, who is trying to get her boyfriend’s attention tries on multiple outfits and reacts to her man with fury. 

He also points out the difference between the genders when watching films, with the ‘girlfriend’ gushing about a nice looking man on the film, but as soon as the ‘boyfriend’ reacts to a fake Margot Robbie the girlfriend gets upset.

Cole, pictured in an Instagram snap, said he is now landing acting work and has projects in the pipeline

Cole, pictured in an Instagram snap, said he is now landing acting work and has projects in the pipeline 



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