It has been confirmed that Ross Kemp will reprise his role as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders and return to Walford for a heartbreaking reunion as the Mitchell family bid farewell to their mother Peggy.
It has been 10 years since hardman Grant Mitchell walked across the Square, but the infamous Mitchell brother will make his presence felt once again in Walford in the next couple of weeks when Peggy (Barbara Windsor) passes away from cancer.
Confirming the news Kemp said: "When I was approached about returning to EastEnders for Barbara's final episodes, it was something I could not turn down.
"Barbara is a very close friend, so when I learned of the storyline it felt right that the Mitchell brothers are reunited with their mother for the last time.
"I am really looking forward to going back to EastEnders and filming what are set to be some classic EastEnders episodes."
Mitchell matriarch Peggy made a surprise return to the soap on January 15 to inform son Phil (Steve McFadden) that her cancer had returned.
Grant first arrived in the Square in 1990 alongside brother Phil and has been involved in some of the soap's classic storylines, including his marriage to Tiffany (Martine McCutcheon) and her death, and various run-ins with his brother.
His return is likely to cause drama in Walford as Albert Square now plays residence to Grant's ex-wife Sharon (Letitia Dean), currently married to his brother Phil, and Phil's ex-wife Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), who had an affair with Grant.
EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell Collins admitted that Kemp's return had been "at the top of my wish list".
He said: "Grant Mitchell is an EastEnders legend and finally he is returning home to Walford to say goodbye to his mother and be reunited not just with his old loves but also his brother.
"To have the Mitchell brothers come face to face again, having to face losing their mother, is an opportunity to show Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden at their very best.
"We are all so excited finally to have Ross back on the Square - and to have Ross Kemp, Barbara Windsor, Steve McFadden, Letitia Dean and Gillian Taylforth all on screen together at the same time as Peggy makes an exit like no other, this promises to be something very special."
The Mitchells are involved in another big storyline at the moment as Phil struggles to control his alcoholism.
EastEnders, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, RTÉ One and BBC One
