2 days ago
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Actor Ross Kemp is to instrumentality to Albert Square arsenic EastEnders prepares to observe its 40th anniversary.
His quality Grant Mitchell archetypal appeared successful the TV soap astir 35 years ago, and was past seen connected surface successful 2016.
In a statement, Kemp said helium was "delighted to beryllium returning" to the BBC programme.
"EastEnders has ever meant truthful overmuch to me, truthful to instrumentality arsenic the amusement is astir to observe specified a peculiar day is an implicit honour," helium added.
The TV soap archetypal aired connected BBC One connected 19 February 1985.
Producers said Kemp would instrumentality successful the New Year for a "short stint" and would "play a important portion successful the show's 40th anniversary".
Details of his caller storyline and the circumstances of his instrumentality person not been revealed, but the BBC said "there is definite to beryllium drama".
In caller weeks, viewers person watched his member Phil Mitchell (played by Steve McFadden) struggle, portion Grant's estranged champion person Nigel has returned to the square. Meanwhile, Grant's ex-wife Sharon is present dating his agelong mislaid relative Teddy Mitchell.
Kemp commented: "Grant has ne'er been acold from the enactment and let's conscionable say, this clip is nary antithetic arsenic helium surely comes backmost with a bang."
Grant Mitchell archetypal appeared successful Walford successful 1990, but has been surviving successful Portugal since his past occurrence astir a decennary ago.
EastEnders enforcement shaper Chris Clenshaw said helium was "absolutely thrilled" to invited Kemp back, describing Grant arsenic a "legendary role".
"Whilst I'm not presently revealing precisely what brings Grant backmost to Walford, I tin accidental that his instrumentality volition play a important portion successful the show's 40th anniversary, and volition marque up galore moments of genuinely unmissable TV."
Kemp's instrumentality follows that of Paul Bradley, who played Nigel Bates, who returned to the amusement conscionable earlier Christmas, much than 25 years since his past appearance.
Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman besides returned to the bid successful 2024, with her quality Chrissie Watts reappearing aft astir 2 decades away.
In caller years, Kemp has been hosting deed daytime crippled amusement Bridge of Lies. He has besides carved retired a vocation fronting documentaries, often astir unsafe places and people, astir precocious Sky History's Mafia and Britain.
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