Exit confirmed for EastEnders legend – and another may be going too

Ash Percival

Published February 17, 2025 11:59pm

Grant Mitchell stood outside of Walford East tube station in EastEnders — Grant Mitchell decides to pack his bags next week (Picture: BBC)

Grant Mitchell’s presence was immediately felt when he arrived back in EastEnders last week, but he’ll soon be backing plans to leave again – and he could be taking someone else with him.

Ross Kemp reprised his role as the legendary character as part of the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations, as Grant rushed to support his brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) amid his worsening mental health crisis.

There’s set to be a huge fallout from this week’s milestone episodes, which will see Phil attempt to take his own life, and an explosion rip through the Queen Vic.

While fans will have to stay tuned to see how these events play out on screen, bosses have revealed there will be a resulting tension between Grant, Nigel and the rest of the Mitchells next week.

Grant Mitchell in an EastEnders promo, standing in front of an exploding Queen Vic pub. — Grant made a big return to Walford in time for the 40th anniversary (Picture: BBC)

An irritated Grant finds it hard to keep his temper in the face of intense scrutiny and criticism from his family over his actions.

Having spied a confrontation between Grant and Nigel in the café, Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) tries to encourage Nigel to tell Grant about his dementia diagnosis.

He is adamant he doesn’t want to, but Grant has overheard their conversation, forcing Nigel to admit the truth.

Yolande Trueman leans over Nigel Bates as she talks to Grant Mitchell in EastEnders — Grant learns about Nigel’s diagnosis (Picture: BBC)

Nigel Bates stands chatting to Grant Mitchell who is sitting at the kitchen table in EastEnders — Grant makes a huge gesture to Nigel (Picture: BBC)

After the pair argue, Grant walks out and tries to find some solace following this latest bombshell and pays a visit to the only person who he believes can help him.

But following a disappointment, Grant decides it’s time to leave Walford.

Before he leaves, he then asks Nigel to move to Portugal with him, promising to support him as he copes with his dementia diagnosis – will Nigel agree?