EastEnders legend Ross Kemp has shared the deeply personal reason behind his Grant Mitchell’s comeback
EastEnders legend Grant Mitchell is returning to Walford as his closest mate Nigel Bates fights dementia. In Monday’s (April 27) instalment of the BBC soap, Grant roars back into Albert Square and immediately reconnects with his sister, Sam (Kim Medcalf), and his alienated son, Mark Fowler JR (Stephen Aaron-Sipple).
Yet heartbreak looms as Grant visits childhood companion Nigel (Paul Bradley) at the care facility, and is shocked to witness him appearing so frail. Grant’s also livid with his brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who neglected to tell him about Nigel’s deteriorating state, and demands to know why he hasn’t been seeing him.
With Nigel’s wellbeing worsening and displaying no signs of recovery, Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) makes the devastating choice to cease Nigel’s treatment and informs Grant.
Subsequently, Grant remains at Nigel’s bedside and is amazed to witness his mate regain consciousness for a moment to ask for something meaningful from his past. The incident also spurs Grant to beg Phil to see Nigel, who is now declining swiftly, reports OK!.
Ross Kemp initially joined EastEnders as Grant Mitchell in 1990, but his recent comeback holds particular significance for the actor.
He said: “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 anxious about disappointing people, and I thought about Barbara a great deal while being back on set – particularly in The Vic, where we spent so much time together.”
Dame Barbara Windsor portrayed Ross’ on-screen mum, Peggy Mitchell, on the BBC soap between 1991 and 2016. Barbara passed away aged 83 on December 10, 2020, six years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Ross revealed: “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 brilliant 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.”
Ross revealed: “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.
Hinting at Grant’s future on the BBC programme, Ross revealed: “Peggy was the matriarch and the one who held the family together. Although family is hugely important to the Mitchells, she was always the glue.
“Since then, Phil has had his own struggles, and Grant has been doing what he’s always done – disappearing, hiding away, and not wanting to face the facts.
“Every time Grant leaves, it seems there’s one less thing to bring him back, but there will always be something. If Phil is there, Grant will always return – and now he has a son there too!”
