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.

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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.

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“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

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