EastEnders legend 'back with a bang' as he returns for anniversary episodes after eight years away
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as Grant Mitchell for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, the BBC have confirmed. The star hasn’t been seen on the show for 8 years having left permanently in 2006, but returned again for a few episodes in 2016.
EastEnders have promised a week’s worth of shocking episodes as the soap celebrates its 40th year on-screen. Speaking about his return later this year, Ross said: “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.”
Ross joined the show almost 35 years ago, but Grant has never been forgotten from the show, particularly with his brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), still on Albert Square. Back in the 90s, Grant was centre of huge storylines in the past, in particular ‘Sharongate’. The story saw Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) cheat on her husband Grant with his brother Phil, and it all came to a head in The Vic when a confession of Sharon’s was played for all to hear.
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Grant was also married to Tiffany Raymond (played by Martine McCutcheon) . In 1998, Grant was accused of the attempted murder of Tiffany and the year ended with her death after being killed in a car accident on Albert Square.
In 1999, Grant left Walford along with his daughter Courtney, for a new life in Brazil. However he returned in 2005 to reunite the family and the Mitchell brothers ended up embroiled in a vendetta against Johnny Allen (Billy Murray). Grant left just one year later, but returned again in 2016 for a few episodes to commemorate Peggy Mitchell's (Barbara Windsor) final scenes.
Viewers believed Grant might end up back in Walford because in recent episodes his brother Phil, currently struggling, estranged best friend Nigel back on the Square, and ex-wife Sharon now dating his long lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), and EastEnders have said Grant’s return will be ‘nothing short of explosive’.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer added: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross Kemp back to EastEnders as he reprises the legendary role of Grant Mitchell. Whilst 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 make up many moments of truly unmissable TV.”
