EastEnders confirms four returns as legend faces death in 49 pictures

Michael Adams

Published February 7, 2025 8:00am Updated February 7, 2025 1:52pm

A traumatic week for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) lies ahead in EastEnders, as confirmed in my new spoiler pictures, as his estranged brother Grant (Ross Kemp) returns to Albert Square.

The Walford stalwart begins to suffer troubling hallucinations and flashbacks to his youth.

As his depression deepens, he starts to converse with mum Peggy (Jaime Winstone) and a younger version of himself (Daniel Delaney).

Can Grant save his brother?

Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) continues to examine sister Bianca Jackson’s (Patsy Palmer) confession video, much to killer fiancé Reiss Colwell’s (Jonny Freeman) annoyance.

He sneaks off to his lock up – and makes a damning discovery…

EastEnders characters Grant Mitchell, Reiss Colwell, young Peggy Mitchell, young Phil Mitchell, Sonia Fowler, Phil Mitchell, Kathy Beale, Priya Nandra-Hart, Junior Knight, Sharon Watts and Cindy Beale. — A huge week in Albert Square is afoot (Picture: BBC/Metro)

EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far

The big 4-0 is almost here! (Picture: BBC)

Here's what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:

A live episode

Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.

This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.

The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…

Denise Fox decides... sort of.

With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.

We also know that another 'history making' decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.

Grant Mitchell returns

Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.

‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.

Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed

Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.

With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.

Special programming

Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.

Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.

BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.

The Queen Vic explodes

As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.

Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There's also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens - is this from the wedding?

Back at home, Sonia’s made her own unsettling realisation, forcing a returning Reiss to block her exit.

Will he claim another victim?

Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is up to no good when he enlists Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) to help him, infuriating ex-partner Cindy (Michelle Collins) when she spots them enjoying a drink in the pub.

What is their gameplan?

Plus, tensions continue to rise between Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and daughter Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) in the wake of the huge reveal that she is seeing her ex-boyfriend Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).