EastEnders icon set to ‘return for soap’s 40th anniversary’ in huge comeback 25 years after leaving Albert Square

An EastEnder legend is ‘set to return for the soap’s 40th anniversary’ in a surprising comeback.

Ross Kemp, 60, will reportedly join Walford again, 25 years after quitting the BBC soap.

The TV alum, who played hardman Grant Mitchell from 1990 to 1999, is rumoured to present a special one-off BBC1 documentary about the beloved series, The Sun reported. 

A source told the publication: ‘Ross is joining in celebrations by hosting his own EastEnders documentary.

‘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.’

An EastEnder legend is ‘set to return for the soap’s 40th anniversary’ in a surprising comeback

Ross Kemp , 60, will reportedly join Walford again, 25 years after quitting the BBC soap

MailOnline has contacted Ross and EastEnders’ reps for a comment. 

Ross joined EastEnders again for a brief return in 2005 and another one in 2016, but since then he continued to appear and host a slew of gutsy shows – including his famous documentary Ross Kemp: Extreme World. 

EastEnders is going live for one episode only as will let the public decide the fate of the storyline for the first time in honour of its 40th anniversary.

For the show’s anniversary, the week will feature an exciting twist and include an interactive element to show and potentially break the fourth wall.

Fans will have the power to choose the outcome they desire for a love story.

The BBC is keeping a tight lid on the love story, adding an extra layer of mystery and excitement for the viewers who will ultimately decide its fate.

The outcome of the public’s choice will played out live during a live episode as the cast and crew will be prepared to adapt to the scene picked out by the public.

The episode will broadcast live from BBC Elstree Centre in February, 2025. 

The TV alum is rumoured to present a special one-off BBC1 documentary about the beloved series, The Sun reported

A source told the publication: ‘Ross is joining in celebrations by hosting his own EastEnders documentary. He will interview stars past and present about why it is so good and how important it is’

Ross played hardman Grant Mitchell from 1990 to 1999 and then joined again for a brief return in 2005 and another one in 2016 (pictured on the show in 2005 with Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden)

Executive Producer said of the live episode, Chris Clenshaw said: ‘The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises.

‘In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week. 

‘This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines. 

‘Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever.’

It comes after the show confirmed a major star’s dramatic exit and they’ve already filmed their final scenes.

The BBC soap confirmed that Matt Di Angelo will be leaving the show following the nail-biting conclusion to his character Dean Wicks’ murder trial in which he was wrongly accused of killing Keanu Taylor.

And while viewers will have to wait and see the culmination of the trial, in a post shared to Instagram, it was verified that Matt would be waving goodbye to Albert Square. 

The post read: ‘Farewell to the marvellous Matt Di Angelo AKA devious Dean Wicks. From all the cast and crew at #EastEnders… thank you, you’ll be missed!’

Meanwhile, in an accompanying video, EastEnders’ Executive producer Chris Clenshaw wished Matt well as he paid tribute to the actor.

He said; ‘I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Matt for giving us one of the most vile characters, one of the most hated characters in Britain and on British TV. Thank you for coming back and playing out this next chapter of Dean’s story.’

EastEnders is going live for one episode only as will let the public decide the fate of the storyline for the first time in honour of its 40th anniversary 

For the show’s first, the anniversary week will feature an exciting twist and include an interactive element to show and potentially break the fourth wall

It comes after the show confirmed a major star’s dramatic exit and they’ve already filmed their final scenes [The Six L-R; Stacey Slater, Suki Kaur Panesar, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox and Kathy Beale 

The BBC soap confirmed that Matt Di Angelo will be leaving the show following the nail-biting conclusion to his character Dean Wicks’ murder trial in which he was wrongly accused of killing Keanu Taylor

The video also saw Matt clutching his final script as he told the camera: ‘This is it. Dean’s final scenes. Shot, sealed, delivered… it is done!’

After the video saw a glimpse of Dean being dragged to his cell as Linda walked past, it then cut to Matt – who first joined the soap in 2006 -giving a farewell speech to his colleagues.

 He said: ‘I really, really appreciate all your work. They’re long days and you’re a class bunch, you really are. So, thank you for helping me and I appreciate it. Thanks very much.’

Turning to the camera once more, he added: ‘It is done. He is no more. “Good riddance!”, you all say. 

‘He’s fun to play and this is an amazing place to work and I do genuinely love everyone here. Thank you for having me and until the next time?! Bye!’