Ross Kemp describes ‘intense’ EastEnders scenes after death of beloved co-star
Ross Kemp is reprising his role as Grant Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders for the conclusion of Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) dementia story, and describes the upcoming scenes as ‘intense’.
Next week, Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) tells Grant that he thinks Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) needs help, as he is refusing to see best friend Nigel.
Viewers will know that Nigel is living in a care home, after Phil and Nigel’s wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) realised they were no longer able to care for him alone.
When Grant decides to visit Nigel next week, he is stunned by how much his condition has deteriorated and is enraged that Phil didn’t update him.
‘Initially, Grant is very angry with Phil because he believes Phil has been selfish and has abandoned Nigel by placing him in a care home,’ Ross explains. ‘Over time, though, he begins to realise that Phil may be struggling himself.
‘Eventually, the brothers sit down and have a heartfelt conversation and clear the air. These scenes were long and intense, and it was brilliant to film them with Steve.’
A heart-to-heart between Grant and sister Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) turns into all three siblings laying their cards on the table, which leads to Phil throwing out Sam and Mark.
With Nigel’s health declining with no sign of improvement, Julie makes the difficult decision to stop his treatment and make him comfortable, informing Grant of her choice.
Grant spends time at Nigel’s bedside and is surprised when he unexpectedly wakes up, asking for something from his past.
Back at No.55, Grant gives Phil a piece of his mind, and when Mark and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) later go in search of him, they find the house empty.
Grant tracks him down to a beach just as Julie calls, begging him to return to Nigel’s bedside for his final moments, leaving him to choose between his brother and his friend.
Returning to EastEnders was an easy decision for Ross, who admits that the storyline drew him back.
‘Coming back has been a wonderful experience. Nigel’s dementia storyline was deeply important to me, as my father died with Alzheimer’s, as did Dame Barbara Windsor, so returning came with a mixture of excitement and emotional pressure.
‘I was nervous about letting people down, and I thought about Barbara a great deal while being back on set – particularly in The Vic, where we spent so much time together.
‘The storyline was the main reason I wanted to come back, and I was delighted when Ben Wadey asked me to return. I felt honoured to be part of something that has been handled so beautifully by EastEnders, alongside Steve McFadden, Paul Bradley, Karen Henthorn, and the rest of the cast.
‘It’s been incredibly special to have the Mitchells reunited – the first time in ten years that Sam, Phil, and Grant have been on set together. I’ve loved working with Steve McFadden again, and to be reunited with Kim Medcalf and to work alongside Stephen Aaron‑Sipple for the first time.
‘It’s also been great to see so many members of the production team and crew again, some of whom started on the show at the same time I did.’
