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ROSS Kemp hinted at an explosive EastEnders return almost a YEAR ago to The Sun.

The actor sent BBC soap fans into a frenzy after it was revealed that he would be making another huge comeback as Grant Mitchell.

Grant Mitchell is making a return to Walford
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Grant Mitchell is making a return to Walford
Ross Kemp rose to fame in 1990 when he debuted as Grant Mitchell (right) alongside brother Phil (left)
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Ross Kemp rose to fame in 1990 when he debuted as Grant Mitchell (right) alongside brother Phil (left)Credit: Rex Features
The actor previously hinted at a potential return when he spoke exclusively to The Sun
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The actor previously hinted at a potential return when he spoke exclusively to The SunCredit: Rex

Ross, 60, first rose to fame playing the legendary EastEnders hard-man back in 1990.

Although he first departed the long-running show after nine years, he has since made two returns to Albert Square in 2005 and 2016.

It has now been revealed that the fan-favourite character will return to Walford ahead of the serial drama's 40th Anniversary celebrations.

But it turns out, he previously told The Sun that a return could have been on the cards a year ago.

READ MORE ON GRANT MITCHELL

When he was specifically asked if he would make a comeback, he implied that door was always open if bosses gave him the chance.

He told us: "I would never, ever say no to that. Why would I?

"And I don't think I've ever said no to most things that I've been offered to do. You would be cutting your nose off to spite your face to say no.

"And also it would look unkind, I think. You know, as I say, I owe it so much."

He also hinted that he was ready to return to acting with the daily graft of scripts and lines after spending the last few decades making documentaries.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun's TV Mag, Ross said: "If you look at what year it was, it was 89 to 99 Which is quite a long time ago.

Grant Mitchell's best bits in EastEnders

"And for the last 25-30 years, I've been making documentaries.

"I had gone back and I went back specifically for Barbara's [Windor's] leaving storyline because she asked me, and she was a very dear friend of mine.

"But, you know, I owe EastEnders, a lot. And I'm not one of those people that would ever try to forget that, not that I would probably ever be able to.

"But I wouldn't want to either, you know, it was a platform that helped me travel the world and meet some of the most bizarre and most interesting, and occasionally some of the most dangerous people that exist in it, and on it!"

EastEnders facts and figures

THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.

EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.

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Precise details surrounding his comeback storyline currently remain under wraps.

But his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) is struggling as his ex-wife Sharon (Letitia Dean) is in a romance with his long-lost cousin Teddy (Roland Manookian).

His estranged best friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) also made a shock return after 26 years away.

Speaking on his return, Ross gushed: "I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary.

I don't think I've ever said no to most things that I've been offered to do

Ross Kempspeaking to The Sun

"EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour."

READ MORE SUN STORIES

He added: "Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang."

The character last appeared on the Square back in 2016
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The character last appeared on the Square back in 2016Credit: handout
His comeback comes as brother Phil is struggling
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His comeback comes as brother Phil is strugglingCredit: BBC
Ex-wife Sharon Watts is currently in a romance with his long-lost cousin
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Ex-wife Sharon Watts is currently in a romance with his long-lost cousinCredit: Handout
Estranged best friend Nigel Bates also made a recent shock return to the soap at Christmas
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Estranged best friend Nigel Bates also made a recent shock return to the soap at ChristmasCredit: BBC
He will come back to the Square as part of the 40th Anniversary celebrations
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He will come back to the Square as part of the 40th Anniversary celebrations

EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to watch on iPlayer.

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