Grant Mitchell Torn Between Suicidal Brother and Dying Friend in EastEnders Return
Where things stand
Updated May 12, 10:33 AMNigel Bates died in emotional scenes aired on 29 April. As his funeral takes place, Grant Mitchell receives a call on the morning of the service from Russell Delaney, Mark Fowler Jr’s boss, demanding full payment of debts. Mark has been kidnapped by criminal associates. Sam Mitchell barges in demanding sibling time; Russell, overhearing her, reveals a shared history. Phil Mitchell, struggling with mental health, persuades a reluctant Grant and Sam to postpone the search until after the funeral. Jon Lee returns as Josh Saunders for the funeral.
Open questions
- What is the shared history between Sam Mitchell and Russell Delaney?
- Will Mark Fowler Jr. be rescued unharmed?
- How will Phil Mitchell’s mental health crisis be affected by this turn of events?
- Who are the criminal associates holding Mark, and what are their demands beyond the debt?
- Will the funeral service proceed without further disruption?
- Are additional characters from the past set to appear at the funeral?
Key actors
What's corroborated
Russell overhears Sam Mitchell on the call and it turns out they have history.
3 sourcesacross 2 articlesGrant Mitchell receives a call from Mark's boss Russell demanding full payment on the morning of the funeral.
3 sourcesacross 2 articlesPhil gets a reluctant Grant and Sam to put off finding Mark until after the funeral.
2 sourcesacross 2 articlesSam barges in and demands Mitchell sibling time.
2 sourcesacross 1 articleMark Fowler Jr. goes missing because he has been kidnapped by criminal associates for not paying back his debts.
2 sourcesacross 1 article
Timeline7
Mark Fowler Jr kidnapped by masked men during Nigel Bates' funeral; Mitchells launch rescue; Denise Fox cancer plot starts.
Executive producer Ben Wadey teases more surprise returns after recent iconic comebacks.
The Independent confirms Jon Lee will reprise his role as Josh Saunders for Nigel Bates' funeral, reinforcing earlier reports.
Daily Mirror publishes article detailing Grant Mitchell's heartbreaking choice between his suicidal brother Phil and his dying friend Nigel on EastEnders.