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EastEnders Jamie Borthwick hints at how Ross Kemp’s return will play HUGE part in 40th anniversary


EASTENDERS star Jamie Borthwick has revealed Ross Kemp’s return will take viewers down memory lane in a nostalgic Mitchells reunion.

The actor, who has played Jay Brown on the BBC soap since 2006, said upcoming scenes between Grant and Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, is the perfect way to celebrate the soap’s 40th anniversary.

Jamie Borthwick at the TV Choice Awards.
Getty

Jamie Borthwick said Ross Kemp’s return will play huge part in 40th anniversary[/caption]

Ross Kemp in a black leather jacket, standing outside Walford East Station.
PA

Grant is set to return to Albert Square as he tries to save his brother Phil Mitchell[/caption]

Phil McFadden and Ross Kemp at Albert Square.
Jamie described the upcoming scenes between the on-screen brothers as ‘old school EastEnders’
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This week viewers will see Ross, 60, step back into Albert Square, along with several other show icons, nine years after his last appearance.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as his on-screen brother Phil battles with his mental health in a harrowing storyline as his depression spirals after an attempted suicide.

Strictly star Jamie, 30, said Ross’ return will play a huge part in the anniversary special.

Jamie exclusively teased to The Sun what EastEnders fans can expect next week, saying: “We’ve got Phil and Grant, Ross Kemp is brilliant. Phil and Grant, seeing them two on screen together, it’s like ‘that’s the old EastEnders’.

“There is so much that’s going to happen, all the recent questions that the audience want to know are all answered on the night.

“You find out who hits Cindy on the head, I believe there’s a Queen Vic fire.”

BBC fans will get the power to decide whether Denise Fox reunites with estranged husband Jack or picks secret lover Ravi Gulati instead in an interactive Walford first.

For the first time ever, as part of the show’s 40th birthday celebrations, viewers get to vote for their choice of outcome, which will be revealed during a special live episode in anniversary week.

Jamie revealed who he hopes the public picks, telling us: “We’ve got Denise deciding between Jack and Ravi – I want her to pick Jack!”


Jamie confirmed he will be part of the live 30-minute special along with a number of other cast members.

The soap star said he’ll be spending the next few days in Elstree Studios in preparation for next week’s episode.

“We finished Strictly live tour last night and tomorrow I’m in rehearsals for the live episode of EastEnders – I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be everything EastEnders fans want,” Jamie said.

“When EastEnders get it right, it’s the best.

“I’m not nervous about it being live, especially doing Strictly where I’m not really comfortable dancing live, I kind of feel I’m comfortable with the acting – I’m not really nervous about doing that live, I’m just excited.

“It’s such a good atmosphere when we’re on the set, everyone’s got that kind of extra bit of buzz.”

Grants back

The soap kick-started Ross’ five decades long career that he instantly said yes when telly chiefs asked him to revive his most famous role as Grant Mitchell.

He said: “I always felt like I owed them.

“I always felt I wouldn’t have been able to have gone on and done all my other shows — the documentaries, going to Afghanistan and travelled the world — without EastEnders.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get my foot in the door as a working class boy from Essex.

“I just wouldn’t have got those opportunities if it hadn’t have been for my time spent on the soap.

“I joined the show just five years after it began, and then I stayed with it for almost ten years — and that was just life-changing for me.”

He added: “The way in which (show boss) Chris Clenshaw approached me was very, very lovely.”

Ross is reminded of just how many opportunities EastEnders has given him by the fact he is juggling his return to the show with making a new documentary about the Mafia in Britain alongside hosting BBC gameshow Bridge Of Lies.

As if that weren’t enough, he has also agreed to front a special hour-long documentary celebrating the four decades since EastEnders launched on February 19, 1985.

Naturally, he isn’t giving much away about what happens while he is back in EastEnders, though he will admit that Grant’s stay in Walford is a relatively brief one.

Ross teases: “I’m only back for a short period of time but it’s pretty impactful.

“He certainly comes back with bang — they didn’t have time to drop me in gently.

“There’s no soft landing if you’ve been part of that inner circle on EastEnders.

“People said to me, ‘Did you get a chance to catch up with people?’ And I said, ‘Not really’, because you’re on a rollercoaster.

“From the moment you get on the set it’s like, you’re off!”

Jay Mitchell from EastEnders in a pub.
BBC

Jamie revealed he’ll be starring in the 30 minute live special[/caption]

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