Ross Kemp: Grant and Mick Carter should have a 'tear up' on EastEnders

EastEnders star Ross Kemp has said he is hoping for a 'tear-up' with Danny Dyer’s character Mick Carter when he returns to the soap as Grant Mitchell.

The gruff-talking hardman, who starred in the BBC soap from 1989 to 1999, is returning to Albert Square to take part in the final storyline of his on-screen mother Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).

Grant Mitchell in Albert Square

Grant Mitchell in Albert Square (Ian West/PA)

 

And he is 'sure' he will collide with new Queen Vic landlord Mick.

Speaking with Greg James on BBC Radio 1, he said: “It will be good to see Danny, I know Danny sort of socially, not that well. It will be interesting.

“We should have a tear-up, though, shouldn’t we really?”

Mick Carter attacks Dean Wicks in EastEnder

Mick Carter attacks Dean Wicks in EastEnders on Christmas Day (BBC)

 

He admitted he didn’t know if a punch-up was in the works, but said: “You’ll have to wait and see. We don’t know yet, I’ll see.

“I’m sure something will happen, there’s no point in me going back and not utilising myself, is there really?

“It’s like having a firework after November 5, you’re not going to wait a whole year to light that firework are you? Let’s be fair.”

Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp as EastEnders favourite Grant, alongside Kathy and Phil Mitchell (Gillian Taylforth and Steve McFadden) in 1997 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

 

The 51-year-old admitted to nerves about putting on the 'Ross Kemp hat' again.

“I’m going back to Grant Mitchell for the first time in 10 years and to be honest I don’t know if I’ve got a hat to pick up any more,” he revealed.

“It’s kind of moth-eaten and the dog’s had a go at it and it’s been chewed up and spat out in a corner of Elstree somewhere.

Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp (Jon Furniss/Invision)

 

“I’m more panicked about picking up the Grant Mitchell hat than I ever have been about picking up the documentary hat. Yeah, truly. I am quite apprehensive about being able to do service to it and not let everyone down.”

Ross, who has turned to making documentaries since he left EastEnders, admitted to a sentimental reason for his return.

“Really, honestly, Barbara has been – well, she’s a legend,” he said.

EastEnders stars Ross Kemp and Barbara Windsor in 1997

EastEnders stars Ross Kemp and Barbara Windsor in 1997 (PA Archive)

 

“She’s a dame for starters, and she’s a close friend, and I owe the show and I owe The Mitchells quite a lot.

“I wouldn’t be doing this and talking to you now if I hadn’t had those 10 years at EastEnders. So that was a big springboard for me in terms of moving on in my life, so I see no reason not to be able to go back and do it.”

 

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