Ross Kemp returning to EastEnders as Grant Mitchell for soap's 40th anniversary

Ross Kemp is returning to Albert Square in celebration of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary.

The 60-year-old first made his debut as Grant Mitchell in 1990 and has returned to the soap a number of times over the past 35 years.

He last appeared in the show in 2016 but will reprise his role this year in what the BBC has described as an “explosive” storyline.

Kemp 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.”

EastEnders first aired on 19 February 1985.

The character of Grant will return to the show as his brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) struggles with loneliness.

The pair’s childhood best friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has also recently returned to the square after almost three decades away.

The return comes as Grant’s ex-wife Sharon (Letitia Dean), who had an affair with his brother Phil in the early 1990s and went on to marry him, is now dating his long-lost cousin Teddy Mitchell.

Nicknamed “Sharongate”, the storyline is one of the most memorable in the Walford soap’s history.

Over the years, Grant has been involved in some of the soap’s classic storylines, including his fraught marriage to Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon).

In 2016, the character returned for a heartbreaking family reunion to say goodbye to his mother Peggy Mitchell (Dame Barbara Windsor) as part of the late star’s exit storyline.

Kemp initially appeared in the soap for nine years from 1990 to 1999, also returning between 2005 and 2006.

Grant initially departed in 1999 after Phil fired a gun at a car he was driving causing it to slide into the River Thames when he found out that his brother vengefully had sex with his then-wife Kathy Mitchell (Gillian Taylforth), but the character was not killed and instead left the square with his daughter Courtney for a new life in Brazil.

His 2000s return saw him involved in the unveiling of the killer of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), have an affair with Jane Collins (Laurie Brett), the girlfriend of Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), and a series of episodes which saw the Mitchell brothers embroiled in a vendetta against gangland boss Johnny Allen (Billy Murray).

During his time away from the soap, Kemp presented the Bafta award-winning documentary series Ross Kemp On Gangs between 2004 and 2009, which spawned a number of similar series such as Ross Kemp In Afghanistan and Ross Kemp In Search of Pirates.

Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders executive producer, said: “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.”

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