EASTENDERS’ notorious hardman Grant Mitchell is one of the soap’s most iconic characters.
Since leaving Walford, fans have often questioned whether Phil Mitchell’s younger brother will ever return to Albert Square.
Grant Mitchell hasn’t been seen in EastEnders since 2016
What happened to Grant Mitchell?
Grant Mitchell – played by actor Ross Kemp – arrived in Albert Square with his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) on February 22, 1990 as part of the notorious Mitchell family.
His character was involved in several big storylines, including his volatile marriage to Tiffany Raymond, played by Martine McCutcheon.
During his time in the Square he was also landlord of the Queen Vic.
But in March 1999 it was reported that actor Ross had decided to leave EastEnders after almost ten years of playing Grant.
The storyline signifying his departure played heavily on the Mitchell brothers’ fragile and damaged relationship.
After discovering that Grant vengefully had sex with his wife Kathy Mitchell, Phil went ballistic with a handgun causing the car Grant was driving to career at high speed into the River Thames.
The episode aired on October 25, 1999 and was watched by 19.5 million viewers.
Initially fans were left uncertain as to whether Grant survived the crash, but the character was not killed off and a week later viewers saw him depart along with his daughter Courtney for a new life in Rio, Brazil.
A spokesperson from the BBC confirmed at the time that “the door is always open for a return” for Grant Mitchell.
Why did Grant Mitchell leave?
Grant left to live a new life with his daughter, after things hit boiling point with his brother Phil.
The hard man hasn’t been spotted in Walford since he waved his late mother Peggy goodbye in 2016.
While he’s appeared in a flashback in 2022, as his sister Sam settled into life in Albert Square, Grant is now in Portugal.
The character fled abroad with his daughter Courtney soon after his mother’s tear-jerking funeral.
Will Grant Mitchell return to EastEnders?
In July 2023, fans started once again speculating Grant is set to make a comeback, after EastEnders bosses brought Cindy Beale back from the dead.
They now think this paves the way for more iconic characters to make their comeback.
One fan tweeted: “Grant Mitchell coming back is something that I need to happen.”
While this one said: “I’ve always watched #Eastenders and what I think they need to boost viewing figures is some happy stories and also bring back Grant Mitchell.”
Meanwhile, in January 2023 actor Ross Kemp himself took the opportunity to address rumours of a potential EastEnders comeback.
Speaking on The One Show he said: “I don’t think you can ever say never, you know.
“I loved the part, I did it for 10 years. I must have liked it because I stayed there for 10 years.
“But, you know, look, it was great fun, I loved the cast, it was a great job. [I’m] doing lots of different things right now, but never say never.”
Fans over speculated Grant will come back to Albert Square, most notably in June 2022 after Sharon Watts (portrayed by Letitia Dean) contacted him.
The EastEnders royalty called Grant out of fear when his brother Phil was willing to face death behind bars.
This reignited hopes of a new love triangle between Sharon, Grant and Phil.
Eventually, Phil made his choice and turned back to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) while Sharon remained determined to get him back.
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