EastEnders needs one specific character to return to the soap. Over the last few years,

the soap has seen some truly iconic characters return to Walford. There has been Cindy

Beale (Michelle Collins), who rose from the apparent dead and revealed she had a whole

other secret family that no one knew about. Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), the one no fan was happy to see, made his way back to Albert Square on Halloween last year. Thankfully that one didn’t last long and he’s behind bars where he belongs – even if it’s for the wrong crime. Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), the ex-wife of Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), made a shock return last week after seven years away from Walford and shared an emotional reunion with Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell). She’s even back with Masood (Nitin Ganatra) and I know everyone wants him back. It’s been too long since fans have seen Grant Mitchell (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes) Bring the whole Masood clan back while you’re at it. However, that’s not who I’m thinking of. In simple terms, we need Grant Mitchell to return. Although the soap has introduced a whole cast of new Mitchell family members, it’s just not the same.

The Phil and Grant dynamic is still unmatched. After officially leaving the soap in 1999, Grant has made string of sporadic guest stints, his final one coming in 2016. The odds of a substantial return felt more farfetched as the years went on, however, with the 40th anniversay approaching, now could be as good a time as ever. In recent episodes, Phil has been his own worst enemy and has pushed everyone he loves away. The Walford hardman even found himself sobbing over his lonliness. The solution: Grant. And I’m not the only one who thinks it’s time for him to return.

Think, not only a Phil and Grant reunion, but a Sharon (Letitia Dean) and Grant reunion. Although Ross Kemp is renowned for making documentaries, BAFTA-Award-winning ones at that, he will always be seen as Grant. A glimmer of hope might’ve been handed to us earlier this year, when Ross opened up about whether he fancied stepping back into Walford. Speaking to The Times he said: “EastEnders finds its way into most days. Often it’s somebody calling me ‘Grant.’ I don’t get annoyed: I’m proud of my 10 years on the show. “Would I go back? Never say never. I’ve been back twice. One of those was because Barbara Windsor was ill — she asked me to come back for Peggy’s funeral. Those tears you saw were real. She was one of my dearest friends.” If not now, we need Grant back on our screens for the 40th anniversary in February 2025.