EastEnders has confirmed that Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as Grant Mitchell as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary, with the iconic character making a “short stint” return
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Soap legend Grant Mitchell is returning to EastEnders, soap bosses confirmed on New Years Day.
Ross Kemp is set to storm back into Walford as the notorious bad boy Grant for the show’s 40th birthday bash. Viewers haven’t seen Grant in Walford for eight years since he left for Portugal.
Since Grant first rocked up in the Square in the ’90s, he and his brother Phil (played by Steve McFadden) have become the legendary Mitchell brothers, starring in some of the most memorable storylines to hit our screens.
It’s been nothing but rough for the Mitchell lads; they’ve coped with tearjerkers like saying goodbye to their mum Peggy Mitchell (the late Dame Barbara Windsor). Now it’s Phil who’s at the centre of a gut-wrenching plot twist that’s seen him take a dark turn to loneliness and battle with what looks like depression.
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EastEnders has also seen the recent shock return of Nigel Bates (acted by Paul Bradley), the Mitchells old mate, for an epic reveal about his own demons, reports the Manchester Evening News.
As the countdown continues to February’s 40th-anniversary episodes, soap bosses are keeping quiet about what brings Grant back, but they’ve given viewers a glimpse saying the scenes being nothing short of “explosive”.
Grant has been residing in Portugal since his departure in September 2016 after the death of Peggy. However, he’s set to make a “brief comeback” in the New Year for a reunion with Phil and Nigel, and will also find out that his ex-wife Sharon (Letitia Dean) is now seeing his long-lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian).
Ross, who plays Grant, hinted at an explosive return, assuring fans of some upcoming “action”.
Ross expressed: “I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary. EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour. Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang.”
Chris Clenshaw, the soap’s executive producer, chimed in: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross Kemp back to EastEnders as he reprises the legendary role of Grant Mitchell.”
“While I’m not currently revealing exactly what brings Grant back to Walford, I can say that his return will play a significant part in the show’s 40th anniversary, and will makeup many moments of truly unmissable TV.”
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer