Very EMOTIONAL News!!! EastEnders’ Ross Kemp pays heartfelt tribute to “wonderful” co-star ahead of Grant Mitchell comeback
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EastEnders legend Ross Kemp has voiced his admiration for one co-star ahead of his return as Grant Mitchell later this month. Upcoming episodes will mark the first time all three Mitchell siblings – Grant, Phil and Sam – have been on-screen together in over 20 years.
Grant and Phil, the latter of whom is played by Steve McFadden, joined the BBC soap back in February 1990, and McFadden has continued to be a mainstay ever since. Kemp departed in 1999 and has made a number of brief returns.
Speaking during Friday’s episode of The One Show, Kemp told hosts Alex Jones and JB Gill that he has credited McFadden with all of the success he has had over the years, whether it be during his stint in Walford or as a documentarian.
“Steve, in particular, I have to say thank you, because he’s a wonderful actor,” said Kemp. “If he didn’t open the door for me, I couldn’t do anything. He is one of the most giving and one of the most talented actors I’ve ever worked with.”
Grant’s return looks to be emotional, as his friend Nigel Bates is currently in a care home due to early onset dementia. When his loved ones are told that his pneumonia is getting worse, Grant’s estranged son Mark reaches out to him – despite Sam advising otherwise.
Sure enough, Grant soon appears, reuniting him on-screen with Phil and Sam for the first time since 2005. Although he was briefly seen for mum Peggy’s funeral in 2016, when Sam was played by Danniella Westbrook, he did not interact with his siblings.
This will also mark the first time that Grant and Mark have shared the screen since the latter role was taken over by Stephen Aaron-Sipple. Mark was previously played by Ned Porteous, who now stars as Joe Tate on ITV soap Emmerdale.
Following the announcement of Kemp’s return in February, the actor said in a statement: “I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year.”
“As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for due to a close family connection in real life,” he added.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Kemp stated: “I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year.”
He added, “As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life.”
A statement on the EastEnders Facebook page said: “Grant Mitchell is set to make a dramatic return to Walford this spring with Ross Kemp reprising the iconic role for a short stint.
“Grant was last seen in February 2025, returning briefly to Albert Square for the show’s 40th anniversary due to Nigel’s concerns about Phil’s deteriorating mental health.
“This year, Grant is called upon by his estranged son Mark to return to Walford, marking the first time the pair will be reunited since Mark learned the truth about his true parentage.
“Grant’s arrival on Albert Square also comes amidst the deteriorating health of long time family friend Nigel. While full details of Grant’s comeback remain under wraps, viewers can expect explosive drama.”
Kemp went on to produce a number of documentaries after first leaving EastEnders in 1999 including Ross Kemp On Gangs, Ross Kemp In Afghanistan and Ross Kemp: Extreme World.
He began on the soap in 1990 and his previous appearance prior to his 2025 return, in 2016, marked his on-screen mother Dame Barbara Windsor’s final episode as Peggy Mitchell.
The actor hosts the BBC gameshow Bridge Of Lies, which challenges contestants to cross a digital bridge by choosing a true statement over a set of wrong ones.
EastEnders bosses have announced that Ross Kemp is returning to the soap for an ‘explosive’ stint as Grant Mitchell.
The actor, 61, previously reprised his role as the Walford hardman as part of the show’s 40th Anniversary celebrations last year.
However it’s now been announced that Grant will be heading back to Albert Square for several months, and Ross has already begun filming.
Viewers saw Grant briefly return to Walford last year due to Nigel’s concerns about his brother Phil’s deteriorating mental health.
This year, Grant is called upon by his estranged son Mark to return to Walford, marking the first time the pair will be reunited since Mark learned the truth about his true parentage.
Grants’ arrival on Albert Square also comes amid the deteriorating health of long time family friend Nigel.
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EastEnders bosses have announced that Ross Kemp is returning to the soap for an ‘explosive’ stint as Grant Mitchell
The actor previously reprised his role as the Walford hardman as part of the show’s 40th Anniversary celebrations last year
Details about Grant’s comeback remain under wraps, but viewers can expect plenty of drama.
On his return, actor Ross Kemp said: ‘I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year.
‘As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life’.
EastEnders Executive Producer, Ben Wadey added: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross back once more to the legendary role of Grant.
‘The Mitchells remain one of EastEnders’ defining dynasties, and we can’t wait to see them reunited again. As always when Grant is around, drama inevitably follows him…’
Ross originally starred in EastEnders from between 1990 and 1999, and has returned to the soap several times in the subsequent years.
Thought he has since pursued a career making documentaries, he previously said he owed a ‘great debt’ to the series.
‘Without it, I wouldn’t have had the career that I’ve had. I’ve always owed it a great debt – it was very good to me, and hopefully I was good to it,’ he said, adding that going back to the soap was ‘like going home.’
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However it’s now been announced that Grant will be heading back to Albert Square for several months, and Ross has already begun filming
Viewers saw Grant make a dramatic return to Walford last year in a bid to make peace with his brother Phil, as he struggled with loneliness and depression.
Its the latest in a string returns that have tied into Nigel’s dementia battle, with Pam St Clement reprising her role as Pat Butcher in a special episode over the Christmas period.
Jake Wood also returned to EastEnders last year as Max Branning, while Michelle Ryan has reprised her role as Zoe Slater.
It comes after it was announced that Jake Moon would be heading back to Walford for a short stint, with his return hitting screens last week.
Jake originally featured from 2004 to 2006, but made a cameo in 2024 as he reunited with Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman).
Chrissie made a shock comeback herself in 2025, where fans learned she had been manipulating Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness).
Working together, the pair had been behind tormenting Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) for weeks.
Zoe is now sitting in prison for Anthony Trueman’s (Nicholas Bailey) murder, while Jake resurfaces looking for answers about what happened.