Kemp returns to Albert Square

EastEnders' Ross Kemp is set to return to the Square after agreeing to make a comeback later this year.

12:50 22 May 2005

EastEnders' Ross Kemp is set to return to the Square after agreeing to make a comeback later this year.

The actor has reportedly been in talks with producers for several months and was finally persuaded by on-screen mum Barbara Windsor to sign a new contract.

"She must have asked 50 times," Kemp, 40, told the News of the World.

"In fact she nagged so much I told her I'd say yes if she stopped asking! Now I've finally agreed, I'm looking forward to it."

Kemp's new contract gives him the freedom to continue working with other channels, including ITV, where he stars in military drama Ultimate Force.

He will return to EastEnders in August, initially as a one off, but his contract allows him to rejoin the cast for four months from January 2006.

"I realised it was an amazing opportunity," the actor explained. "This means I can have a profile on ITV and the BBC. It's a fantastic position to be in and I feel really lucky."

"At this stage no one knows what will happen," Kemp added. "It wouldn't bother me if they killed off Grant during my return though, especially if it was a great plot.

"Anyway, EastEnders has proved that getting bumped off doesn't mean anything. You can still come back. Just look at Dirty Den."

Kemp, 40, played hardman Grant Mitchell in EastEnders and his return to the soap will cheer producers who have seen viewing figures plummet in recent months.

He will star in an explosive storyline with screen brother Phil, who reappeared in Walford last month following a year and a half absence.

Kate Harwood, EastEnders' executive producer, commented: "The impact of Grant's return should not be under-estimated. It is going to be fireworks from the start."