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

Ross Kemp will present a special EastEnders anniversary program as he returns to Albert Square this year to celebrate the soap’s 40th anniversary.

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

EastEnders producers have not revealed why Grant is returning to Walford for the February episodes, but his return 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 moments on screen, starring 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, better known as Pat Butcher.

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

“During filming I was constantly reminded of the impact of EastEnders, not only on the actors and everyone who works on the show, but also on the audience, as well as the effect it had on the culture of 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 birthday, it was an absolute honour.”

The documentary also features notable storylines, including “the first kiss between two gay men on British television, Kat’s historic story of abuse, and the HIV diagnoses of Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) and Zack.”

Mark Fowler, a market stallholder, was the victim of a hate campaign from Peggy and his revealing the truth about his condition to Queen Victoria punters in the 1990s led to more references to the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

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

Zoe stormed across Albert Square and shouted: “You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not my mother!”, to which a tearful Kat replied: “Yes, I am!”

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

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 honor to spend time in Walford, revealing a never-before-seen side of Albert Square, forging moving family reunions and exploring the impact that its residents have and continue to have. beyond E20.

Kemp previously directed the Bafta-winning documentary program 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.