Hello, BRUV! 40 years of EastEnders

ROSS KEMP on the return of his Walford favourite

- ALISON SLADE

EASTENDERS MON-THU, 7.30PM, BBC1 SOAP

There can be no doubt that hardman Grant Mitchell is one of EastEnders’ all-time great characters, with his dodgy dealings, explosive punch-ups and that legendary love triangle with wife Sharon and brother Phil making for compelling viewing in the 90s and mid-noughties. So we couldn’t be more delighted that actor Ross Kemp has decided to reprise his iconic role this week as the BBC1 soap gears up to hit the big 4-0 on Wednesday 19 February.

Here, Ross, 60, tells us about stepping back onto The Square…

It has been over eight years since Grant was last in Walford. Where has he been, and why is he back now?

Grant has been in Portugal, running a bar. He has come back because Nigel has contacted him after realising there’s something wrong with Phil. I think Grant is in denial as to the true extent of Phil’s mental-health issues.