EASTENDERS fans have gone wild as the Mitchell brothers reunited for a rare day out. It comes after actor Ross Kemp 61, – who plays Grant in the BBC soap – recently reprised his role for the heartbreaking death of old pal Nigel Bates.
Today the onscreen brothers thrilled fans when they shared their day out together.
Posing with Steve McFadden, 67, Ross shared a video of them on a boat.
Talking to the camera, the actor said: “The Mitchell brothers are reunited, this time on the river!”
Their fans went wild for the short clip, with one saying: “Love this so much!”
Another added: “Nice seeing you together!”
A third said: “Phil and Grant! The legends!”
Meanwhile, the Mitchell brothers arrived on Albert Square in February 1990, when they took over the local garage, The Arches.
Their sister Sam, played by Danniella Westbrook at the time, then joined them a later in July 1990
Grant and Phil’s on-screen mum, the iconic Peggy Mitchell, played by the late national treasure Barbara Windsor, arrived in Walford the following year.
Actor Steve has remained on the soap ever since, however Ross left in 1999, but has reprised his character of Grant on and off over the years.
The star was last on EastEnders in April, when he returned as part of Grant’s pal Nigel dementia battle, which ultimately saw him sadly pass away.
Despite the heartbreaking storyline, at the time BBC viewers were chuffed to see Grant and Phil back together in Albert Square.
One wrote: “Great to see Phil and Grant back in their black leather jackets.”
A second said: “Feels just like old times seeing Phil and Grant screaming at each other.”
A third commented: “So good seeing Grant back, just wish he’d stay longer and get a proper storyline. Phil and Grant will forever be great soap characters.
Before heading back to the Square, TV star Ross revealed his own personal reasons for returning to the soap.
“Coming back has been a wonderful experience,” he told the BBC.
“Nigel’s dementia storyline was deeply important to me, as my father died with Alzheimer’s, as did Dame Barbara Windsor, so returning came with a mixture of excitement and emotional pressure.
“I was nervous about letting people down, and I thought about Barbara a great deal while being back on set – particularly in The Vic, where we spent so much time together.
“The storyline was the main reason I wanted to come back, and I was delighted when Ben Wadey asked me to return.
“I felt honoured to be part of something that has been handled so beautifully by EastEnders, alongside Steve McFadden, Paul Bradley, Karen Henthorn, and the rest of the cast.
“It’s been incredibly special to have the Mitchells reunited – the first time in ten years that Sam, Phil, and Grant have been on set together.”
He added: “I’ve loved working with Steve McFadden again, and to be reunited with Kim Medcalf and to work alongside Stephen Aaron‑Sipple for the first time.”
