EastEnders fans may be disappointed to learn that Ross Kemp is too busy to return to the soap for the special 30th anniversary episode.

Barbara Windsor, who plays Ross’ on-screen mum Peggy Mitchell, will b e making a comeback – sparking rumours that Ross would be joining her in the BBC One show as Grant Mitchell.

But the TV hardman revealed: “I can’t join her. It’s just about space in my diary – although I would never rule out going back to EastEnders, I owe it a heck of a lot. I think it’s a great show.”

Grant Mitchell in Albert Square(Ian West/PA)
Grant Mitchell in Albert Square(Ian West/PA)

But while a return to Albert Square is off the cards for now, Ross – whose series Extreme World returns to Sky1 on January 22 – hasn’t ruled out appearing on a reality show.

“Never say never. The Ross Kemp motto is basically, don’t decline to do anything until you’re in the situation where you desperately have to do it!”

Hetti Bywater played Lucy Beale in EastEnders
Hetti Bywater played Lucy Beale in EastEnders (BBC)

EastEnders will celebrate the anniversary in the week beginning February 16 with a live 30-minute episode, followed by a week of special events, based around the revelation of who killed Lucy Beale.

According to bookmakers William Hill, Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) is the favourite to be exposed as the murderer, with odds of 9/4.

Abi had discovered that Lucy had been having an affair with her father, Max Branning, and had threatened to expose her secret, and when Detective Emma Summerhayes was shown contacting the killer, Abi was one of the people who checked her phone.