Grant 'to die'

Elaborate plans are being drawn up to kill off one of the most recognisable faces on Albert Square.

15:00 24 October 2005

Elaborate plans are being drawn up to kill off one of the most recognisable faces on Albert Square.

Grant Mitchell, played by bald actor Ross Kemp, has only just made his return to EastEnders, along with his on-screen family played by Steve McFadden and Barbara Windsor.

But now chiefs on the Walford soap are apparently scheming to give Grant a send-off from which he won't be able to recover.

An EastEnders mole told the Daily Star: "The thinking is that [Ross] will stay only for a four-month period next year and then put the role to bed for good.

"It may be an opportunity for us to give Ross the send-off he'd like for Grant - a massively heroic death."

The scene is being set already, as the Mitchells have returned primarily to fight off their rival Johnny Allen, who is taking up positions of power left vacant first by the Mitchells themselves and then by murdered Dirty Den Watts.

It is thought that Johnny is going to want revenge on Grant's mum Peggy, which gives Grant the perfect opportunity to die doing a good deed - saving his beloved mother.

The insider continued: "Ross would not be distraught if Grant were to be killed off. In fact, he's mentioned it himself on several occasions."