S Poddar
EastEnders fans are squirming with excitement as speculation surrounding the BBC soap’s next move to mark the iconic 40th anniversary continues to build. Amusingly, amidst the wild rumors swirling over the future celebrations is that legendary actor Ross Kemp may make a return-but not as everybody would have fancied.
The BBC has confirmed that the special will come in the form of a live episode, but they have been mum about the storyline and which characters will feature in the program. According to The Sun, Kemp, who played the iconic Grant Mitchell, is likely to appear-but possibly not as the character his fans love to hate.
Kemp will apparently instead provide an exclusive documentary made especially for the anniversary. The one-off special promised to delve deeply into the rich history of EastEnders, with interviews from past and present stars of the soap. The programme would offer a retrospective look at how the soap had evolved over the decades and its impact on British television in general.
Although Kemp’s appearance will not feature within the main storyline to be played out in Albert Square, it seems that some of the best-loved characters on and off screen will share the stage with her for a live broadcast to ring in the anniversary. Actrise Diane Parish who plays Denise Fox, has been confirmed to be appearing in the live episode while another previous big-hitter for EastEnders, Scott Maslen who played Jack Branning, is also confirmed to take part.
This month, speaking at the National Television Awards, the two actresses shared their feelings about live performance. She admitted she felt excited and nervous: “At first, I was a bit terrified.”. I’m not getting any younger, and when I first did that, I had a few more of my faculties about me. Parish referenced her previous experience with live performances but acknowledged the added pressure that comes with them. “We’ve done them before… we know how it works. Most people [in the cast] have done theatre and have that live experience as well,” she added.
Maslen echoed her sentiments, putting emphasis on how the broadcast would differ from the usual recorded scenes: “It’s a different thing for us because we do a recorded format.” A show as long-running and famous as EastEnders is expected for a live episode to bring more agitation than challenges, but above all, it gives the players an opportunity to express their skills in a raw environment, something that the cast and fans alike are eager to take aboard.
Ross Kemp has a history dating with EastEnders. He joined the program in 1990, when, playing Grant Mitchell, he quickly made his way into the show’s mainstream storyline. Kemp made regular appearances on the show before quitting the series in 1999 after nine years. However, Grant still makes intermittent return appearances which often reveal plot-altering moves in particularly sordid circumstances. He appeared briefly in the role again in 2005, 2006, and again in 2016 when viewers were brought back into the drama and chaos often that followed the character.
Apart from the live episode and documentary, exciting events await EastEnders fans. The soap will ride the 40th-anniversary wave as it becomes a tapestry of nostalgia, drama, and celebrations by honoring its rich legacy. With time for old faces and some shocking new changes, the show is sure to continue its evolution while it pays a befitting tribute to its storied past.
Those who can’t wait for the drama to play out can catch EastEnders weeknights, from 7:30 BST, on BBC One. Meanwhile, episodes will go live on BBC iPlayer, typically from 6:00 BST, so that fans can stay up over the latest twists and turns before they hit the telly screen.
Excitement keeps building towards the 40th anniversary, and though the exact nature of the celebrations with Kemp remains a mystery, his fans are eagerly waiting for the extravaganza. What is sure, though, is that EastEnders is going to bring all of that out for its golden celebration, and old-timers won’t miss a single minute of it.
