EASTENDERS has drafted in a show legend for an epic TV crossover that nobody could have predicted.
Grant Mitchell star Ross Kemp will be appearing in another BBC programme as part of the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Ross will be reading the CBeebies Bedtime Story direct from the cafe in Albert Square in one of TV’s most unlikely crossovers.
The episode will see Ross read the rhyming story The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright and Jim Field on Monday evening ahead of the epic soap week getting underway.
The story in question follows two very different squirrels who don’t always see eye-to-eye especially when it comes to friendships and sharing.
The squirrels, Cyril and Bruce, are both desperate to get their hands on the last nut of the season and will go over boulders, across rivers, and right to the edge of a waterfall in order to secure it.
In the end, the two squirrels realise that working together is the best option and they can both share the desired nut.
Following the story, Ross makes a reference to his EastEnders character Grant and his rocky relationship with brother Phil by comparing them to Cyril and Bruce.
He says: “Cyril and Bruce realised it’s much easier, and much more fun, to work together than it is to fight.
“We all fall out with people sometimes – and even brothers can squabble.”
Ross has become the unlikely star of the EastEnders anniversary.
As well as returning to the show as Grant Mitchell, he is putting his hand to a number of the show’s celebratory spin-offs.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Two EastEnders icons make shock return to Walford after 16 years” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368702704112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]In addition to the Bedtime Story, he will be fronting an EastEnders special of his game show Celebrity Bridge of Lies.
He will also be hosting a documentary entitled Secrets From The Square where past stars, including Anita Dobson and Pam St. Clement, remark on their time on the show.
On-screen, Grant will be left shocked to hear about his brother Phil’s secret struggles.
The anniversary week will also feature a shock fire and explosion leaving multiple lives hanging in the balance.
Ross Kemp’s CBeebies Bedtime Story airs at 6.50pm, Monday 17 February on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
Tracy-Ann Oberman – Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley – Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French – French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer – Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Ricky Groves – Groves returned as Garry Hobbs, a character who has not been seen since 2009.
Cliff Parisi – Parisi returned as Minty Peterson, a character who was last seen on the square in 2010.
Ross Kemp – Kemp has returned to play Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp’s storyline as “explosive”. Kemp said it was an “absolute honour” to return to the show.
Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.