TOUGH guy Ross Kemp has lifted the lid on his emotional return to EastEnders – and the one thing that would bring Grant Mitchell back for good.

The TV hardman, now a celebrated documentary maker, made a sensational comeback for the show’s 40th anniversary alongside fellow Walford legends Patsy Palmer and Paul Bradley.

Phil McFadden and Ross Kemp at Albert Square.
Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp were back together on EastEnders for the first time since Phil and Grant buried their mum Peggy
Screenshot of two people embracing.
Grant said an emotional goodbye to Nigel at Walford station – but will it be the last time he sees him?
Ross Kemp leaning against a graffiti-covered door.
Documentary maker Ross spoke to The Sun about his incredible return and said he ‘owed it to EastEnders’

But after his on-screen brother Phil’s recovery from a mental health scare, Grant walked again, while asking best pal Nigel to go to Portugal with him.

His departure left fans with unanswered questions – from Grant’s flirtation with Linda (Kellie Bright) to the shocking revelation that Mark Fowler Jnr knows Grant is actually his dad.

And now, Ross, 60, has admitted he owes EastEnders a lot – and would consider reprising his role permanently if his old mate Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell) personally asked him.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Ross said: “I loved it.

I’m not ever going to run from Grant.

Ross KempThe Sun

“Kate Phillips [BBC Controller of Entertainment] asked me to do the 40th anniversary documentary, and I was very thankful. I’ve got a lot of respect for Kate.

“It was weird going back, but amazing to see so many familiar faces, people I’d worked with since 1989. It’s a home from home.

Ross was thrilled to reunite with his on-screen family, including McFadden, Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts), Paul Bradley (Nigel Bates), and Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson).

“It was great working with Steve again,” he admitted. “And with Paul, Letitia, Patsy – they were the four I worked with most.

Watch the moment Sharon Watts cheats on Teddy Mitchell with ex-Grant as former couple share passionate clinch

“I’ve been very lucky to be able to go off around the world and make documentaries.

“But it’s also quite nice to be there.”

And if McFadden asked him to return?

“Of course, I would if he asked me,” Ross confessed.

“He’s my friend, we’ve worked closely together.

“But would I still be able to make documentaries? Would I still do Bridge of Lies?

“Working on EastEnders, if you’re in the major story lines it’s a very long day. You use a lot of energy.

“The hours are long. It’s a tough old gig and I have take my hat off to Steve for maintaining such a high level of performance for 35 years. It’s an incredible achievment.”

Whether he’s back cracking skulls in the Queen Vic with Phil or uncovering real-life crime, one thing’s for sure – Ross Kemp is always up for a challenge.

He is also back on screens grilling contestants this year, hosting game show Bridge of Lies, which instantly became a hit with BBC One viewers when it launched in 2022.

“Who knows? You never say never,” he added about a return to EastEnders.

“The window suited me this time, but at other points in my career, it didn’t feel right,” Ross explained.

“I’m not ever going to run from Grant.

Grant Mitchell’s heartbreaking exit

Walford hardman Grant was seen in tears during an emotional exit after his brief comeback for the 40th anniversary of EastEnders.

Earlier in the episode Grant found his old foe Bianca having a panic attack in the launderette and helped her come out of it.

He talked her through her breathing and made her realise that she was suffering from PTSD after her confinement by Reiss.

He also confessed: “Ever since I’ve got back here all I’ve done is shout my mouth off, argue with everybody and sleep with someone I shouldn’t have done.”

“You are ridiculous,” said Bianca but told him he was running away again.

She told him that he needed to leave the past in the past and make sure that he made things right before he left.

He went back to Phil’s and asked Nigel to come to Portugal with him – and to allow him to care for him over his dementia battle.

“I will give you as many sponge baths as you need,” he said before telling Nigel to pack up and meet him at the tube.

Grant then went to make things right with Phil and clear the air.

He apologised for not being there for Phil throughout everything he’d been through but opted not to confess to sleeping with Sharon after his brother told him he was still in love with her.

“I am going to call you,” Grant promised as he left Phil in the mental health unit.

Meanwhile at the station, Grant came face to face with Sharon – and the pair agreed to leave their fling in the past.

They said their goodbyes and then Nigel arrived – but without any luggage.

He told Grant he wasn’t coming with him because he had to stay in Walford.

“You are my best friend and you never forget that,” Grant told him before leaving with tears in his eyes.

“He gave me the opportunity to do so many other things. I owe him, and I owe the show a lot. This (return) was my way of saying thank you.”

Nowadays, Ross may not be throwing Mitchell-style punches on screen, but he’s still fighting fit.

“Yeah, I’ve been focusing on my health. I don’t play golf, I don’t do those things – I like a bit of boxing, weight training, body conditioning,” he said.

“It pays off later in life, but you have to keep an eye on it.

“You’ve got to watch your waistline as you get older. I’ve struggled, but I seem to be winning the battle at the moment.”

And yes, he did squeeze back into Grant’s iconic leather jacket.

“That made me happy,” he laughed.

Ross is also encouraging everyone to take control of their energy usage with a smart meter.

saying: “Honestly the average family saves around £140 a year – but that can be more, it’s up to you.

“It tells you exactly what you’re burning. If things are on that don’t need to be, you just turn them off.”

Scene from EastEnders featuring Bianca Jackson, Kojo, Linda Carter, and Grant Mitchell.
Grant was back battling with his old foe Bianca – best mate to his late wife TiffanyLetitia Dean and Ross Kemp of EastEnders sitting on a sofa.
Grant and Sharon were back in each others’ arms for a brief one night standCredit: BBC
Ross Kemp on the set of Bridge of Lies.
Ross is returning to screens later this year in game show Bridge of Liee on BBC One

Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode