Ross Kemp to front EastEnders 40th anniversary special as he returns to soap

Ross Kemp will front an EastEnders anniversary special programme as he returns to Albert Square this year to celebrate the soap’s 40th birthday.

The actor and TV presenter, 60, played bad boy lothario Grant Mitchell on the BBC One soap, beginning in 1990, with his last appearance in 2016 to mark his on-screen mother Dame Barbara Windsor’s final episode as Peggy Mitchell.

EastEnders producers have not revealed why Grant returns to Walford for February episodes but his comeback follows his brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) struggling with loneliness.

In the documentary, EastEnders: 40 Years On The Square, Kemp will delve into the biggest on-screen moments, with Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Cotton) and Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts).

There are also special appearances from Anita Dobson, who played landlady Angie Watts in the 1980s, and Pam St Clement, best known as Pat Butcher.

Kemp said: “It was a privilege to be asked to present this documentary, celebrating 40 years of EastEnders.

“During the making of it, I was constantly reminded of the impact EastEnders has, not only on the cast and everyone that works on the show but also on the audience, as well as the effect it has had culturally in the United Kingdom.

“It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with some of my dear friends – old and new – and celebrate this special anniversary, it was an absolute honour.”

The documentary also showcases prominent storylines including “the first kiss between two gay men on British television, Kat’s historical abuse storyline and Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) and Zack’s HIV diagnoses”.

Mark Fowler, a market stall holder, was a victim of a hate campaign by Peggy and him telling punters in The Queen Victoria about the truth of his condition in the 1990s, led to more referrals at the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

The character of Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) memorably revealed that Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) was her daughter, after her uncle Harry Slater’s (Michael Elphick) abuse.

Zoe stormed across Albert Square and screamed: “You can’t tell me what to do, you ain’t my mother!”, to which a tearful Kat screeched back: “Yes I am!”

Other memorable moments from the soap, include “Sharongate”, which revealed that Grant’s ex-wife Sharon had an affair with Phil, before marrying him later on.

Sharon, the adopted daughter of Angie and “Dirty” Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), is now dating Grant’s long-lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian).

Joe Ingham, executive producer at Pulse Films added: “EastEnders has had a transformative effect on television audiences for forty years – myself included.

“It has been a privilege to work with the legend that is Ross Kemp and an honour to spend time in Walford, revealing a never before seen side of Albert Square, forging emotional family reunions, and exploring the impact its residents have and continue to have beyond E20.”

Kemp has previously fronted the Bafta-winning documentary programme Ross Kemp On Gangs between 2004 and 2009, which spawned a number of similar series such as Ross Kemp In Afghanistan and Ross Kemp In Search of Pirates.

EastEnders celebrates its anniversary in February.