EastEnders has revealed full details of Grant Mitchell’s (Ross Kemp) return in the wake of brother Phil’s (Steve McFadden) devastating suicide attempt.
It was confirmed last month that Ross would be reprising his iconic role after a 9 year absence as part of the show’s forthcoming 40th Anniversary celebrations.
With the soap promising that his return will be ‘nothing short of explosive’, Ross said: ‘I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary.
‘EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang.’
The circumstances relating to his big return have been kept under wraps, though viewers were quick to speculate that it would be related to Phil’s declining mental health.
In heartbreaking scenes that air this week, the Walford stalwart attempts to take his own life.
Best pal Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) is riddled with guilt when he sees him being carted into an ambulance, choosing to have dinner with a prospective new romance instead of rushing after him in his moment of inner turmoil.
We now know that his condition will get worse, as Phil begins to suffer psychosis and hallucinates a pivotal moment from his youth.
In upcoming scenes, ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is keen for him to seek medical attention. He’s deeply hurt by her interference and lashes out, forcing her to leave his home.
Later, she struggles to enjoy herself at Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey’s (Emma Barton) joint stag and hen-do, and is further troubled when Mo Harris (Laila Morse) reveals that Phil paid for the party after hearing about the couple’s monetary woes.
Sharon decides to send out a search party for him, but he’s seemingly vanished. Phil is alone and struggling to separate his visions from reality.
In a special episode, we’ll see scenes from the Mitchell family home in 1985 as Phil watches on.
As his depression deepens, he’ll begin to converse with mum Peggy (Jaime Winstone), father Eric (George Russo), Grant (Teddy Jay) and Nigel (Sam Miles).
Daniel Delaney will also reprise his role as a younger version of Phil, last seen in a special flashback episode in 2022.
Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) will find him at home, with Sharon arriving to stage a crisis intervention. Phil immediately shuts down her concern and sends them both packing.
As the night draws to a close, Nigel walks in with someone he hopes can help in the hour of need – Grant.
How will Phil react to his brother’s return?
