EastEnders surprised fans once again with another shock return on Monday ahead of the soap’s 40th anniversary.
Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) surprised fans when he returned to the square on Christmas Eve after 27-years away and now seems his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) could be joining him.
Despite claiming the pair had split Nigel is hiding a dark secret and received a voice message from his partner who begged him to return home.
Viewers heard Julie’s voice – played by actress Karen- as she pleaded: ‘Nigel, it’s Julie again. I don’t know if you got my last message or’
‘Listen, Nigel, I promise I’m not cross, whatever reason you walked out and disappeared, I just really need to know if you’re alright mate. I miss you. I love you, Nigel’.
Julie appeared in the soap in 1997 before leaving a year later to start a new life in Scotland with new husband Nigel and their respective children.
EastEnders surprised fans once again with another shock return on Monday ahead of the soap’s 40th anniversary
Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) surprised fans when he returned to the square on Christmas Eve after 27-years away and now seems his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) could be joining him
Despite claiming the pair had split Nigel is hiding a dark secret and received a voice message from his partner who begged him to return home
Talented actress Karen went on to appear as Teresa Bryan in rival soap Corrie between 2007 and 2010, as well as roles in The Teacher opposite Sheridan Smith, Shameless and Vera.
It comes after EastEnders fans all said the same thing as Ross Kemp posted his first selfie from the BBC set as his alter-ego Grant Mitchell.
On Wednesday it was revealed that the actor, 60, would be reprising his role ahead of the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary this year.
Ross made his debut on the BBC soap back in 1990 and played Grant for nine years.
He later returned for a year in 2005, and was last on our screens in 2016.
The soap star gave a sneak peek behind the scenes of EastEnders in a recent Instagram post.
He was all smiles as he posed for a picture with the soap’s crew on set.
Ross captioned the post: ‘Team EastEnders.”
Julie appeared in the soap in 1997 (pictured) before leaving a year later to start a new life in Scotland with new husband Nigel and their respective children
Talented actress Karen went on to appear as Teresa Bryan in rival soap Corrie (pictured) between 2007 and 2010, as well as roles in The Teacher opposite Sheridan Smith
Many fans rushed to the comments section to share their excitement.
One wrote: ‘Hh so excited!! x.’
Another confessed: ‘This makes me so happy Grant [has] always been my favourite cast member.’
‘Ross please come back and stay will you? Xx,’ a third asked.
A fourth chimed in: ‘So excited you’re returning!!!! team MITCHELL.’
A fifth commented: ‘Mitchell bros back together… now the fun begins yayyyy.’
On Wednesday he posted a snap of her character Grant standing outside Walford East tube station to announce the news.
Ross wrote: ‘I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary.
‘EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour.
‘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.
‘Happy New Year.’
It is not known what Grant’s storyline will involve but BBC bosses have teased that it will ‘play a significant part in the show’s 40th anniversary’.
EastEnders fans all said the same thing after Ross Kemp shared a selfie from the soap set ahead of his return
The soap star is returning to the show this year
Ross pictured with his on-screen mum late Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden
Executive Producer of EastEnders Chris Clenshaw said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross Kemp back to EastEnders as he reprises the legendary role of Grant Mitchell.
‘Whilst I’m not currently revealing exactly what brings Grant back to Walford, I can say that his return will play a significant part in the show’s 40th anniversary, and will make up many moments of truly unmissable TV.’
It comes after it was revealed that a Queen Vic explosion is set to rock EastEnders’ 40th anniversary special this year.
An industry insider revealed that bosses are ‘pulling out all the stops’ for the anniversary special.
Fans don’t have long to wait as it’ll be on our screens next month.
An insider said: ‘And they hinted that fans could expect some famous actors from the show’s past to make a return, adding: ‘Curious viewers will undoubtedly recognise a few familiar faces.’
The soap first aired on February 19 1985.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
