It’s official; Grant Mitchell is finally coming back to EastEnders!
Ross Kemp made his first appearance as Grant Mitchell in 1990 when he arrived in Albert Square alongside his onscreen brother, Phil, played by Steve McFadden.
The two became a huge hit with viewers, creating a TV pairing that put the Mitchells at the heart of EastEnders. With Barbara Windsor arriving a few years later, the Mitchells quickly became one of the most iconic families on British TV.
And now, finally, they are set to be reunited at last.
Fans took to Twitter to celebrate the news - and their excitement coaxed Ross himself into revealing the truth about his return.
Yup, you guessed it; it’s all about his beloved mum!
He wrote happily: “Overwhelmed by tweets about Grant's return to @bbceastenders. Credit to @dominictc... and have you ever tried saying no to Dame Barbara?!”
We just KNEW Peggy would’ve had something to do with this EastEnders miracle!
Speaking in more detail about his brief return to EastEnders, Ross said “When I was approached about returning to EastEnders for Barbara’s final episodes, it was something I could not turn down.
“Barbara is a very close friend so when I learned of the storyline, it felt right that the Mitchell brothers are reunited with their mother for the last time. I am really looking forward to going back to EastEnders and filming what are set to be some classic EastEnders episodes.”
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the soap’s executive producer added: “Ross Kemp is top of every EastEnders fan's return wish list. And being an EastEnders fan myself, he has been at the top of mine. Grant Mitchell is an EastEnders legend and finally he is returning home to Walford to say goodbye to his mother and be reunited not just with his old loves but also his brother.
“To have the Mitchell brothers come face to face again, having to face losing their mother, is an opportunity to show Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden at their very best.
“We are all so excited finally to have Ross back on the Square - and to have Ross Kemp, Barbara Windsor, Steve McFadden, Letitia Dean and Gillian Taylforth all on screen together at the same time as Peggy makes an exit like no other, this promises to be something very special.”
Ross’s brief return will coincide with Barbara Windsor’s final ever episodes as Peggy, but as ever with the Mitchell family, there is set to be drama.
With Sharon, his ex-wife, who is currently married to his brother; and Kathy, his brother’s ex-wife who Grant slept with, all living in Albert Square, the stage is set for an explosive reunion.
We can’t wait!