EastEnders has brought back the fan-favorite character Grant Mitchell to Walford in a complex storyline.
In recent episodes, the BBC soap depicted Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) struggling with pneumonia and dementia. Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) became worried about Nigel’s condition and urgently contacted Grant, urging him to return to Walford.
Mark believed that only Grant could reach Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who was reluctant to visit Nigel in a care facility.
Upon Grant’s return on Monday, he surprised his son Mark and sister Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) with a dramatic entrance into the Square. They informed Grant that Nigel’s health had deteriorated significantly since their last meeting, indicating that time was running out.
Deeply affected by the news of Nigel’s impending passing, Grant visited him in an emotional bedside encounter. Subsequently, Grant had a long-overdue reunion with Phil, marking the first time the iconic brothers and Sam appeared together on screen in two decades, according to OK! magazine.
Ross Kemp, 61, made his debut as Grant Mitchell on EastEnders in February 1990, becoming a beloved figure in Albert Square. Apart from his on-screen presence, little is known about his private family life.
In the late 1990s, Ross was romantically involved with journalist Rebekah Wade, leading to their engagement in 1996. Despite facing challenges in their relationship, they eventually married in Las Vegas in 2002. However, their marriage ended in 2009, with Rebekah marrying someone else the same year.
Ross later welcomed his first child, Oliver, in 2010 with makeup artist Nicole Coleman. In 2012, he married Renee O’Brien, an Australian native, with whom he shares three children: Leo (2015), and twins Ava and Kitty (2017).
Maintaining a low profile, Ross and Renee keep their family life away from public scrutiny. Ross has acknowledged his past mistakes and credited Renee for guiding him towards a more stable relationship. He has emphasized the importance of family and fatherhood in his life.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer from Monday to Thursday.