EastEnders' icon Ross Kemp set to return for soap's 40th anniversary celebration

Ross Kemp
-Credit: (Image: BBC/Nicky Johnston)


EastEnders star Ross Kemp is set to make an Walford return for the EastEnders' 40th anniversary, according to reports. The actor first appeared on Albert Square back in 1990 before departing in 1999. Ross returned as Grant in 2005 and 2006 and made his last visit to the Square in 2016, when Grant returned home to visit mum Peggy before her death.

Fans have speculated that Grant might make a return once again for the show's 40th anniversary next February. However, according to The Sun his comeback may not be as Grant. The 60-year-old star will present a special one-off BBC1 documentary about the long-running show to celebrate the milestone. A source told the newspaper: “Ross will interview stars past and present about why it is so good and how important it is. EastEnders will always have a special place in his heart and he’s really excited.”

EastEnders
Grant and Sharon brought big drama to EastEnders -Credit:BBC

Since leaving the show Ross had become well known for his hard-hitting documentaries, often centring around crime.

READ MORE:Coronation Street actor reunites with cobbles co-star as he signs up for new BBC comedy

READ MORE:EastEnders fans to decide what will happen in love story as BBC bosses hand power to viewers for the first time

Earlier this month, Ross was grilled on This Morning about a potential comeback as Grant. “I can tell you nothing,” he replied coyly.

Speaking about his time on the show, Ross said on This Morning: “I am very proud of the show celebrating 40 years and I wouldn’t have had a career, good or bad without it.”

He added: “I absolutely love it and I still support it and I would if I had come from Coronation Street or Emmerdale – well I was in Emmerdale Farm briefly before – but yeah, I am proud the show is celebrating the 40 years and I will continue to support it as long as I can.” He added: “I can say no more than that.”

Sign up to OK!'s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free

Ross Kemp EastEnders BBC
Ross was last in the soap in 2016 -Credit:(Image: BBC)

Presenter Alison Hammond added: “If I was a producer I would bring you back.”

EastEnders producer Chris Clenshaw previously hinted the show's 40th anniversary could feature the return of classic characters. When asked if some iconic characters from the past could return to EastEnders, the producer told The Sun: "Maybe. It all depends on the story and where the characters are. But it has to come from character, it has to come from story."

The show has already seen a number of high-profile returns in the lead up to the anniversary, with actors Laurie Brett (Jane Beale) Joel Beckett (Jake Moon) and Tracy-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts) reprising their roles and Michael French (David Wicks), Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson) and Louisa Lytton (Ruby Allen) already lined up for the coming months.