Which Actors Will Return For EastEnders' 40th Anniversary? Ross Kemp Favourite

EastEnders will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, and BBC bosses have announced the show will go live once again to mark the milestone.

The BBC One soap is to put on a special anniversary week in February, including the live episode, and there is also a major twist.

It was announced this week that viewers will get the chance to decide the outcome of a storyline, as EastEnders goes interactive.

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In the special live episode, the audience will be able to vote for their desired outcome of a love story.

The BBC are yet to confirm which characters will be involved in the first-of-its-kind plot for the live episode, but the latest announcement is yet another reason to be excited for the soap's 40th year.

There is already plenty of speculation on betting sites about which former EastEnders stars could return for the anniversary week, and the programme has already been busy recruiting former Albert Square residents of late.

Tracy-Ann Oberman reprised her role as Chrissie Watts this week, and the BBC have also confirmed the returns of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and Michael French (David Wicks).

What's more, Walford will welcome back another notorious resident before its 40th anniversary when Louisa Lytton reprises her role of Ruby Allen for a "prolonged stint" later this year.

But who else might return?

Which Actors Could Return For EastEnders 40th Anniversary Odds?

Grant And Phil Back In Business?

Despite years of making hard-hitting documentaries, Ross Kemp is still best known to many as EastEnders' Grant Mitchell.

Grant and his brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) are known globally as the notorious Mitchell Brothers, but Grant hasn't been seen in the Square since 2016.

However, Ross recently dropped a huge hint he could be back for the show's 40th anniversary.

Speaking on This Morning, he said: "I can tell you nothing. I am very proud that the show is celebrating 40 years and I wouldn't have had a career good or bad without it.

"I still love it, I still support every way that I can. I'm very proud its celebrating 40 years. I would support it in every way I can...I can say no more than that."

After appearing to say a little too much, Ross is just 4/6 on specials betting sites to make an EastEnders return for the first time in eight years, while Danny Dyer is just 8/11 to make a comeback.

The Football Factory actor made a name for himself as a soap star when he portrayed loveable Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter from 2013-22, but Mick was last seen diving into the sea, with his body yet to be found.

Despite many rumours, Danny has since insisted to Heat magazine that Mick is in fact dead, but that won't necessarily stop him from making a 40th anniversary return.

He also told the publication: "Look, I take it as a compliment that people want me to go back. Who knows? If there’s no closure there, then maybe I would come back for a dream sequence. I don’t think Mick could just rock up covered in seaweed!

"I think if they did it right, with the 40th anniversary coming up, if they came up with an idea of maybe Linda being drunk or hallucinating, then I would come back and do some scenes with her."

And if Danny does return to EastEnders, from the dead or not, then Mick's mother Shirley Carter might not be far behind.

Linda Henry, who played Shirley, is just 4/1 for a Walford return.

Pat To Come Back?

If you think of legendary EastEnders characters then Pat Butcher is usually part of the thought process.

And she is Evens on betting apps to be part of EastEnders' bosses thinking in terms of the 40th anniversary week.

Show bosses are clearly keen to make the major milestone a huge event, and they could do far worse than secure a return for Pam St Clement, who played Pat from 1986-2012, and again for a short stint in 2016.

If she is looking for company at the summit of producers' wish lists, then original Michelle Fowler actress Sue Tully (6/4) might be there, too.

The former Grange Hill star played Michelle from 1985-95, and she is said to have turned down the chance to reprise her role in the mid-2010s, when Jenna Russell took on the part.

However, fans would surely rejoice should Sue return.

She is now used to being behind the camera rather in front of it, after turning her back on acting to focus on directing, which has seen her helm episodes of Line of Duty and Britannia.

But could she be tempted into a return for such a special EastEnders occasion?

Michelle Ryan is another star who hasn't appeared on EastEnders for years, but fans would love to see her back as Zoe Slater.

Since her last appearance in June 2005, Michelle has featured in the likes of Doctor Who and Death in Paradise, but she is 5/2 to return to Walford.

Dean And Joe Keen For Return

When Max Branning used to strut around Albert Square, there was often plenty of chaos in his wake.

Jake Wood played the complex character for 15 years until his 2021 departure, and viewers would welcome him back.

Max's daughter Lauren Branning recently returned to Walford when actress Jacqueline Jossa reprised her role, and it would be no surprise if Jake followed in her footsteps.

The actor is 2/1 on new betting sites to make a comeback for the soap's 40th anniversary, while his on-screen nephew Dean Gaffney - who played Robbie Jackson - is a 3/1 chance.

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Dean has made several returns as Robbie over the years, and in May last year the actor admitted he would love to make another comeback.

Speaking on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa to his campmate and fellow former EastEnders star Joe Swash, he said: "I would [return to EastEnders], definitely.

"I left it a couple of years ago now, but I've been back probably about five times since."

Joe also admitted he would be up for reprising his role as Mickey Miller - who he portrayed from 2003-08, and again briefly in 2011 - but insisted EastEnders hadn't been in touch with him.

Speaking to Dean last year, he said: "I wouldn’t mind it. You know exactly what you’re doing, when you’re doing it, how you’re doing it. But they’ve never asked me, mate, not once."

Other stars who could make a comeback include Mimi Keene, who played Ian and Cindy Beale's daughter Cindy Williams.

The Sex Education star's on-screen parents have both returned to Walford since she departed east London in 2015, and the 9/2 for her to make a 40th anniversary comeback could look generous in a couple of months.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.