Ross Kemp has announced he will not be joining Barbara Windsor for next month's special EastEnders anniversary episode.
The 50-year-old actor said that he would be absent from the BBC soap's 30th birthday celebrations due to previous filming commitments.
Speaking to the Gloucester Citizen, Kemp - who played hard man Grant Mitchell - said: "I can't join her [Windsor]. It's just about space in my diary."
Kemp did, however, say that he wouldn't be averse to appearing in an Albert Square reunion at some time in the future.
He said: "I would never rule out going back to EastEnders, I owe it a heck of a lot. I think it's a great show."
Rumours of Kemp's return to the show were stoked when the BBC refused to confirm a report that Kemp would be back for the soap's 30th anniversary.
77-year-old Windsor will be reprising her role as Peggy Mitchell for one episode as part of the anniversary week in February.
