SHOCKING NEWS!!! BACK ON ENDERS EastEnders legend returning for soap’s 40th anniversary 25 years after quitting Walford

EASTENDERS legend Ross Kemp is returning for the soap’s 40th anniversary.

The star, 60, who played hardman Grant Mitchell, will present a special one-off BBC1 documentary about the long-running show.

Sign up for the EastEnders newsletter

Ross Kemp is returning for the EastEnders anniversaryCredit: Rex

Ross quit Walford in 1999 before brief returns in 2005 and 2016

Ross quit Walford in 1999 before brief returns in 2005 and 2016Credit: BBC

Ross quit Walford in 1999 after nearly a decade before brief returns in 2005 and 2016.

He has since been making a string of hard-hitting factual series.

It comes days after the Beeb announced an interactive live episode for the first time in February to celebrate its birthday.

A source said: “Ross is joining in celebrations by hosting his own EastEnders documentary.

READ MORE ON EASTENDERS

“He 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.”

Asked about a return to EastEnders last week on This Morning, he said: “I can tell you nothing.”

The star, whose shows include Ross Kemp on Gangs, added: “I wouldn’t have had a career, good or bad, without it.”

Old characters returning include Tracy-Ann Oberman, 58, as Chrissie Watts.

But Navin Chowdhry, 53, is leaving after two years as businessman Nish Panesar.

Albert Square will also see a fire.

How Italian mafia ‘took over’ quiet UK town and turned it into ‘Surrey Sopranos’

A source said: “The drama’s really ramping up.”

Kemp will present a one-off documentary for the soap's 40th birthday

Kemp will present a one-off documentary for the soap’s 40th birthdayCredit: handout

Related articles

MASSIVE SHOCK This EastEnders guest star was rejected by the BBC soap 37 years ago

A new EastEnders guest star has revealed she was previously rejected by the soap 37 years ago. Shazia Mirza appears in today’s episode of the BBC soap as Dr Ayub,…

HOT NEWS ALERT! Huge EastEnders drugs twist in early BBC iPlayer release as two favourites reel

Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) has started his drug dealing again… and two Walford residents have already clocked on. In the wake of Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) robbing from the family’s businesses,…

BIG SAD NEWS !! Goodbye, Clair Norris! | EastEnders

After eight unforgettable years lighting up Albert Square as Bernadette “Bernie” Taylor, Clair Norris has officially wrapped her final scenes on EastEnders. It’s an emotional farewell not…

OMG SHOCKING!!! EastEnders new Queen Vic landlady ‘sealed’ and and it’s not Kat Moon

EastEnders enthusiasts reckon they’ve sussed out the next owner of The Queen Vic as the pub is put on the market. After Elaine Knights’ (Harriet Thorpe) unexpected…

SHOCKING NEWS JUST DROPPED! EastEnders announces huge news about past character in early iPlayer release

EastEnders has confirmed a huge life update for former character Ash Panesar, in heartwarming news. In the second episode of today’s double bill, Eve spotted an unexpected announcement…

TV shake-up Full list of soap schedule changes as EastEnders is off air for EIGHT days – is your favourite show affected?

THE soaps look set to be rocked by a slew of schedule shake-ups over the next few weeks with various summer sporting events blowing the usual programming…