EastEnders may have just set the wheels for Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) comeback, when Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) reached out to break the news of Phil (Steve McFadden)’s impending death.
As viewers know, Phil is currently preparing to die after fellow inmate Craig Erskine (Connor Mills) threatened his life.
He had hoped to gain protection from prisoner Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), but his plan backfired when Ravi was transferred to solitary, meaning he would not be on the necessary wing when the attack took place.
DI Keeble (Alison Newman) offered Phil a no-prison card and reiterated that he could take her deal and become an informant in exchange for immediate freedom, but he refused to become a “grass.”
Sharon, meanwhile, was shocked to learn of Phil’s harrowing predicament, and – in emotional scenes – begged him to take the deal and “fight” for his life.
Before being whisked away by the guards, Queen Vic’s former landlady professed her undying love for Phil, and when she returned to the square, she took a seat on Denny’s couch and watched the clock tick – desperately hoping at 6 p.m., the time of Phil’s death, would never eat.
As Phil prepared for his untimely end in prison, Sharon called his former husband and Phil’s brother Grant to relay what would likely be tragic news.
Grant didn’t pick up, though.
Phil, meanwhile, faced Erskine and his cronies in his cell. But will he die in battle?
That remains to be seen. But with Phil’s life on the line, the question is, can we expect Grant back on the square?
Did Sharon plant the seeds for a better return?
Ross Kemp last reprized his role in 2016, when Grant made a comeback prior to Peggy’s (Barbara Windsor) death. He returned to Walford later that year, when he and Phil teamed up again.
EastEnders continues on Thursday 7th July at 7pm on BBC One, or stream the next episode now on BBC iPlayer.
If you have a soap or TV story, video or photos, please contact us at [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.
Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay up to date on all things soap on our homepage.
MORE: EastEnders Spoilers: Sharon and Kat’s Huge Showdown After Shocking Events
MORE: EastEnders spoilers: Walford in shock as resident returns from the dead
The Soaps Newsletter
Contains exclusive content, spoilers and interviews before appearing on the site. Find out more “