It’s a moment EastEnders fans have longed for and it’s one that is almost upon us, with Ross Kemp’s comeback as Grant Mitchell reuniting him with siblings Sam and Phil together for the first time in a decade.

Be still our beating hearts.

It’s been almost four decades since the dawn of the Mitchell era in Walford, with Grant and Phil (Steve McFadden) rocking up in the Square all the way back in 1990, with Sam following shortly after.

While all three characters have popped up at various points throughout the subsequent three decades – with Phil remaining a permanent fixture of the Square for pretty much of all it – the trio have rarely been together at the same time outside of that initial stint so this reunion truly is a big moment for the show.

Grant is on his way back to Walford for old mate Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who is now in a care home with advanced stages of dementia.

Phil has been instrumental in supporting Nigel, who saved his life last year after he struggled with his mental health. In the months since, the former mechanic has assisted his friend’s wife Julie (Karen Henthorn), with the duo becoming Nige’s carers.

Grant, meanwhile, made a historic return last year as part of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary to be there for brother Phil amid his mental health crisis and, as fans hoped at the time, he’s on his way back to be there for Nigel.

Estranged son Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) is initially responsible for bringing Grant back, suggesting that he contact the show legend after receiving word that Nigel’s pneumonia has worsened.

Sam tells him it’s fruitless, revealing that she’s tried getting in touch with Grant numerous times to no avail – and she’s struck with just how far they’ve drifted apart following the death of their mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor).

Grant’s return will officially reunite him with sister Sam, who he last shared the screen with in 2016, thus making it the first time all three Mitchell siblings have been together in over a decade.

While actor Ross shared the screen briefly with star Kim Medcalf during her initial stint in 2005, most of his scenes with Sam have been opposite previous actress Danniella Westbrook.

Fans had hoped that Sam – who staged an unexpected comeback last year -would be around for Grant’s return, with viewers delighted when they learned that star Kim would be staying put for now after Sam’s cancer storyline reached its conclusion.

Don’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Advertisement

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Discussing his EastEnders return, Ross Kemp said earlier this year: ‘I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year.

‘As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life.’

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as a life is in danger amid mental health crisis

MORE: EastEnders’ Lauren gains new allies in feud but the result is very unexpected

MORE: Unexpected romance confirmed for former EastEnders couple – but a shock follows

Emergency services were called to the junction of Gladstone Road just before 3pm.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the collision involved two vehicles and left three people injured.

The severity of their injuries has not yet been disclosed.

Witnesses described a significant emergency response, with police establishing a cordon around the area and fire engines also in attendance.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended in a “supportive capacity”.

Debris left strewn across the carriageway after the collision (Image: NQ)

The crash caused disruption throughout the afternoon after traffic lights at the junction were knocked out.

One set was completely toppled, leaving debris scattered across the carriageway.

Police officers were seen clearing debris while recovery work took place, and both vehicles were removed as part of efforts to make the area safe.

Both vehicles sustained damage in the crash (Image: NQ)

Motorists approaching from Albert Road were forced to turn around, with some making U-turns to avoid the closure on Gladstone Road.

Despite the disruption, traffic initially coped, although congestion built steadily as rush hour approached.

Highways teams were called to the scene, and the cordon remained in place while work began, due to the damaged traffic lights.

Gladstone Road (Image: NQ)

According to traffic monitoring services, delays continued into the early evening, with slow-moving traffic reported in surrounding areas.

The road has since reopened, with traffic conditions gradually returning to normal.

No further details have been released about the cause of the crash.

A stretch between Skelton Green and Boosbeck, in East Cleveland, has been subject to speed camera enforcement action after concerns about road safety.

But councillor Steve Kay complained it was not clear to drivers what the limit was due to insufficient signage.

Cllr Kay claimed police “had a field day” and the route was “deceptive”, and, while flashing 30mph signs were stationed on the approaches to both villages, between them the road was very rural, giving motorists the false impression the limit had reverted to 60mph.

He said: “Redcar and Cleveland Council should work with Cleveland Police to solve this speeding problem in a less aggressive and more effective way.

“If you are going to give fines, drivers need adequate signs.”

Cleveland Police confirmed it had “regularly deployed” enforcement and was only responding to complaints that had been received.

The council said concerns about speeding and dangerous driving on the route had been raised through a local Neighbourhood Action Partnership, resulting in a request for enforcement.

It also said 30mph repeater signs could not be installed on the section of road in question because it was legally classed as a restricted road and subject to a 30mph limit by default.

Cllr Kay, an independent who represents Lockwood ward, said: “I have no objection to the 30mph limit through the built up areas of Skelton, Skelton Green and Boosbeck. 

“It’s ambushing unsuspecting drivers, to which I object.”

The council said that to reinforce driver awareness, additional speed camera warning signs had been installed and road markings have been refreshed, including ‘SLOW’ markings, although one driver fined said these were in Skelton Green itself.

Mark Smith, from Moorsholm, said he received a fixed penalty notice in the post after travelling at 38mph “along what looked like a piece of open countryside”.

‘Thinking I was tootling along within the law’

Mr Smith said: “I was thinking I was tootling along well within the law and then there is a speed camera there, and it emerges it is 30mph.

“I thought I was within a 60mph zone or even 50mph.

“Is there not some way of making it more obvious to the general public that’s what the speed limit is, rather than sitting there in a van issuing fines?

“There are street lights on lampposts, but no houses, it is just a piece of countryside.

“The council should put up a sign somewhere along that stretch saying that’s what the speed limit is.”

The 60-year-old said he wanted to warn others, adding: “I am not against road safety or speed limits.

“If there’s no indication of what it is [the speed limit], you make assumptions.

“I would not want other people unknowingly breaking the law and getting fined for it.

“Some people might be unemployed, or on their way to do a very poorly paid job and struggling to make ends meet.”

The council, in its response to Cllr Kay, said: “Where traffic surveys show evidence of speeding, sites are included in a monthly list submitted to Cleveland Police for consideration of enforcement activity. 

“Enforcement is recognised as an important tool in reducing vehicle speeds and improving driver behaviour.”

It also explained: “30mph repeater signs cannot be installed on this section of road because it is legally classed as a restricted road. 

“Under Section 82 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, a road is restricted if it has a system of street lighting with lamps placed no more than 200 yards  apart. 

“Restricted roads are subject to a 30mph speed limit by default unless a Traffic Regulation Order sets a different limit.

“Traffic signs regulations and general directions do not permit the use of 30mph repeater signs on restricted roads. 

“This is because the presence of street lighting is, in law, the indicator to drivers that a 30mph limit applies.”  

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “Our road safety unit regularly carry out speed checks in the area and, although our neighbourhood teams engage with local residents about any concerns, the local authority will raise any complaints to us. 

“If there were increased complaints, we would then deploy to the area.”

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald and Stockton MP Matt Vickers told of their concerns as they reacted to the news that as many as 600 NHS workers could lose their jobs. Meanwhile, Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash spoke of “ambitious, forward-looking plans taking shape” for the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

A spokesperson for the University Hospitals Tees group, which covers North and South Tees NHS Foundation Trusts, said they aimed to reduce their headcount by about 600 staff members.

This came after research from public service union Unison estimated at least 21,000 roles would be cut across hospitals and other health facilities nationally by 2028 as employers struggle to balance their books and meet government demands for trust budgets to break even.

Asked what plans there were to cut roles locally, a spokesperson for University Hospitals Tees said: “We are working with NHSE (NHS England) and ICB (Integrated Care Board) colleagues to ensure that our commitment to delivering safe, quality services for our patients and communities continues.

“Ensuring our workforce models are optimised to reflect the health and care needs across the Tees and North Yorkshire remains our priority.

“In line with wider NHS ambitions, this will involve a reduction in whole-time equivalent posts,” said the spokesperson, referring to whole-time equivalent (WTEs), a calculation relating to full-time hours, whether or not they are worked by part-time or full-time employees.

Asked how many people would lose jobs as a result, the spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Since 2020 University Hospitals Tees’ whole-time equivalent growth in staff has been over 2,800. We will be aiming to reduce our headcount by around 3.75 per cent, circa 600 members of staff.”

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said: “I am concerned about the impact of any staff reductions in our local NHS facilities and the potential for knock-on impact on services, both in terms of staff workload and patient experience.

Andy McDonald MP Teesside Live pic free for LDR use

“I’m in discussions with the chief exec of the University Hospitals Tees group about the timescale and the likely impact of any workforce reductions and I am seeking meetings with local trade union representatives to hear more from them about their concerns.

“I will then be reflecting their concerns to the Health Secretary to ensure local services are not harmed.”

Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, said: “This is deeply worrying. Hundreds of jobs are to be lost in the NHS that serves our community.

Andy McDonald MP Teesside Live pic free for LDR use

“Members of staff across the NHS have a crucial role to play in delivering healthcare. This is what happens when you hand the BMA [British Medical Association, the trade union and professional body for doctors and medical students] an inflation-busting pay rise with no strings, no reform, no conditions.

“Wes Streeting chose the unions over the patient and is now handing hundreds of local people a redundancy notice. We deserve better than this.”

Jonathan Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool said: “I’m working hand in hand with our NHS partners to drive an exciting transformation of services at Hartlepool Hospital. There are ambitious, forward-looking plans taking shape, and I’m confident they will deliver real benefits for our community when they’re unveiled.

“My absolute priority is ensuring frontline services go from strength to strength and that waiting times keep coming down. That’s the commitment I’ve made and it’s exactly what we will continue to deliver for Hartlepool.”

Unison Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said: “Plans that could see a reduction of hundreds of posts across Teesside are deeply worrying and risk pushing an already overstretched workforce beyond breaking point.

“The public are all too aware how understaffing is a major problem, so they’ll be rightly alarmed when the situation’s getting worse.

“Years of underfunding have left many trusts out of pocket and ministers’ financial reset is creating deep uncertainty about services and staff. Morale is through the floor as workers worry whether their jobs are at risk, amid soaring levels of stress and violence.

“The NHS is being asked to transform how care is delivered, with more community services and technology. But none of this is possible without the staff to make it happen.

“Unison will be working closely with the NHS trusts and with staff to understand the full impact of these proposals, to support affected workers and to do everything possible to protect jobs and patient care.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures.

A change-of-plea hearing for Jones is scheduled for May 6 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a court filing Thursday.

Jones, 49, had previously pleaded not guilty to separate indictments charging him with profiting from rigged poker games and providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Jones is charged in both cases with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

A message seeking comment was left for his lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery. He told a judge at Jones’ arraignments in November that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”

Jones, a onetime teammate of James, was arrested last October along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others, including a sports bettor accused of cashing in on injury information.

Jones was one of three people charged in both the poker and sports betting schemes. He remains free on bail.

A native of Galveston, Texas, Jones earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams in 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009. He and James played together in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and Jones served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season.

According to prosecutors, Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information to bettors that James was injured and wouldn’t be playing in a Feb. 9, 2023, game against the Milwaukee Bucks, texting an unnamed co-conspirator: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”

James wasn’t listed on the Lakers’ injury report at the time of the text message, but the NBA’s all-time scoring leader was later ruled out of the game because of a lower body injury, according to prosecutors, and the Lakers lost the game 115-106.

On Jan. 15, 2024, prosecutors said, sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones approximately $2,500 for a tip that Davis, the Lakers’ forward and center at the time, would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of an injury.

Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, prosecutors said, but the tip was wrong. Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and collected 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers win, prompting Fairley to demand a refund of his $2,500 fee, prosecutors said.

In the poker scheme, according to prosecutors, Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting players into poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table.

According to the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme. His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said. When in doubt, Jones was told to fold his hand, prosecutors said.

In response, according to prosecutors, Jones texted: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”

The poker scheme often made use of illegal poker games run by New York crime families that required them to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families, according to prosecutors.

Members of those families, in turn, also helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, officials said in court documents.

A hot hand from outside the three-point arc, Jones once proclaimed himself in an interview with insidehoops.com as “the best shooter in the world.” He played in every regular season game for three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2006.

After his playing days, he worked as a “shooting consultant” for the Cavaliers and was an assistant coach when the team, led by James, won the NBA championship in 2016.

“We do need to delink gas and electricity prices,” Reeves said. “Because at the moment, on many occasions, electricity prices are based off the gas price, even though the costs of producing electricity, by and large, have not changed as a result of this conflict in the Middle East.”

Roker and Seaburn’s beach in Sunderland was recently listed as one of the top ten cleanest beaches in the UK in a study by Vape Superstore, which analysed Tripadvisor reviews, bathing water quality, smoking rules, and Blue Flag status.

The ranking praised the coastline for its cleanliness, with only 0.43 per cent of public reviews mentioning litter or rubbish.

However, some residents have expressed concern about water quality, raising questions about sewage discharges from the Whitburn outfall.

One local mentioned: “The water quality at Seaburn is anything but good courtesy of the discharge pipe at Whitburn.”

They also raised questions over sewerage figures relating to the area that were reported in previous years.

In 2024, it was reported that in response to a Freedom of Information request, Northumbrian Water estimated that around one million tonnes of sewage were discharged from a Whitburn site, but have since disputed that figure as “not necessarily accurate”, as volumes of storm overflows are not measured.

Northumbrian Water has told the Northern Echo that it is working to reduce sewage overflows across the region: “We share our customers and communities’ passion for having clean waterways and we understand that reducing the use of storm overflows is one of the most important things we can do.”

The company said it plans to invest £1.7 billion in environmental improvements between 2025 and 2030.

Northumbrian Water said: “Data for 2025 shows that spills from our storm overflows have decreased by 32 per cent over the past year, and this is partly due to investment in infrastructure, and trials of our world-leading Smart Sewers project, which uses AI to predict rainfall and reduce the reliance on storm overflows.”

Despite recent and planned improvements, some residents remain sceptical over the cleanliness of the surrounding coastline.

One commenter wrote: “The bar is set very low these days to be the cleanest in the UK.”

Read more:

Others noted that Seaburn ‘lost’ its Blue Flag status in 2025.

One local said: “The loss of this award raises legitimate questions about whether current standards are as high as suggested.”

The loss of this award raises legitimate questions about whether current standards are as high as suggested

Whilst Seaburn was not named on Keep Britain Tidy’s 2025 Blue Flag winner’s list, it was given the Seaside Award, along with Roker Beach which did retain its Blue Flag status.

A spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy said: “Not only does a Blue Flag show locals and visitors that they have arrived at a clean, safe and beautiful beach, it is also a mark of quality that sets the beach out as an asset to its community and local businesses that will drive and increase tourism.”

Despite concerns, Roker and Seaburn beaches were ranked 9th in the Cleanest Beaches list, with a score of 7.33 out of ten.

The Mandy Dingle actress shared her link to the singer in an old series

Emmerdale star Lisa Riley took to her social media as she shared an old TV link to a member of One Direction.

Actress Lisa Riley made her Emmerdale debut as the iconic and charismatic Mandy Dingle back in 1995, and although she made a brief departure she returned full-time in 2019.

However, Lisa hasn’t only starred in Emmerdale, as she played the role of Rebecca Patterson in hit ITV series Fat Friends from 2002. Written by Kay Mellor, the series followed the lives and weight-loss struggles of a group of people at a “Super Slimmers” club in Leeds.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Lisa worked alongside James Cordon who played Jamie Rymer on the series, as well as the rest of the star-studded cast which included Sheridan Smith, Ruth Jones and Gaynor Faye.

However, taking to her Instagram, Lisa revealed that there was another unexpected star who appeared on the TV show alongside her – One Direction member Louis Tomlinson.

Next to a picture of her during an episode, she wrote: “‘WAY BACK WHEN WEDNESDAY’ last night someone sent me this absolute BELTER!!!

“This is a scene from @itv ‘Fat Friends’ where Me @lisajaneriley and James @j_corden our characters, best mates, Rebecca and Jamie are in hospital-as my character Rebecca is about to go into labour -look closely to see who the young lad in the waiting room is???? It’s gorgeousness himself @louist91 soooo cute!!! Good memories before he became part of the global sensation @onedirection”.

Fans in the comments couldn’t believe it was him, as @jessluciile replied: “MINI LOUIS OMG” and @harrietplusbabies added: “Omg I’ve watched these so many times and I’ve never noticed @louist91 Love Fat Friends!”

Louis Tomlinson shot to fame after his audition on the X Factor back in 2010. He auditioned singing “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s and receiving three “yeses” from the judges.

However, he failed to progress as a solo artist but was later brought back to form One Direction along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne.

Fat Friends wasn’t his only acting move, as he also had roles in the BBC drama Waterloo Road and the ITV drama If I Had You, as well as starring as himself in iCarly and Family Guy.

ITV have revealed that the last series of 7 Up will air this year

ITV have confirmed that their long-running series, 7 Up will end with its final chapter, 70 Up after 62 years of them following the lives of 14 people.

It’s often been described as the “greatest documentary series of all time”, as they’ve followed 14 people since the age of seven years old through being teenagers, and making their mark as adults.

In 1964, World in Action screened the very first film – 7 Up. Every seven years since, cameras have returned to capture a journey from childhood to teenagers, to adulthood, through careers, marriage, divorce, parenting, bereavement and more.

Now, the participants are pensioners and retirees looking back on their lives in a way that not many other people will have the chance to do the same.

70 Up will be the end of this remarkable television journey. Viewers will join them for the last time as they reflect on their triumphs, their trials and tribulations, and what happened to their hopes and dreams.

Viewers can tune in to see the “emotionally-charged” finale, with Tony the “cheeky chap” who wanted to be a jockey before becoming a London cabbie. He appears alongside Neil, who dreamed of being an astronaut and experienced homelessness. Plus Bruce, the public schoolboy who wanted to be a missionary, Symon who has fostered more than 120 children and has 12 (and counting) grandchildren, shy Paul who is now a grandparent and Jackie who left Scotland with a new partner.

Sue will talk about marrying Glenn and decades working at Queen Mary University of London, while Peter has more music news. KC John who wanted a powerful career and lawyer Andrew, the prep school boy who famously read the FT, return. Alongside them is Suzy, the young ballerina who hated her private school.

The series will remember fondly the late Lynn, part of the trio of friends. Meanwhile, we hear from Charles who left the programme at 21. And the series will also include a poignant and moving interview with the late Nick, the farmer’s son who fulfilled his dream to become a nuclear physicist.

Advertisement

The series is due to air later in 2026, and Asif Kapadia, Director, 70 Up said: “In 2014 I named the Up Series as my favourite documentary of all time. Who knew that two decades later I would have the incredible honour and privilege to be asked to direct 70 Up, the legendary documentary series. I love the show!

“I have watched it all my life, first as a child with my parents and siblings, growing up in East London and then as an adult. I was lucky to meet Michael Apted a few times. I first came in contact with Apted when he interviewed me after he saw SENNA and he liked the fact I directed drama and documentaries, like him.

“Directing 70 Up has been a dream project for me, the ultimate portrait of human life, working with my amazing editors Andrew Hulme and Patrick Saxer, we had the challenge of cutting hours of archive material shot over decades, while also looking at the nature of documentary filmmaking itself. I hope the audience feel my team and I have done the epic series justice with the closing chapter.”

Producer Claire Lewis added: “After over 40 years of working with the participants of 7 Up it seems extraordinary that we have come to the end of this unique series. It’s been an incredible lifetime’s work and has given me a second family. I’m sad and content at the same time that it’s ending.

“Working with Asif, as well as Michael, has been an honour. But the highest accolade goes to the fortitude of our trusted contributors. We miss Michael, Nick and Lynn terribly; the jigsaw is not complete without them.

“Thank you to them and thank you to the team. Each episode captures an era for our society and one for each individual. It’s pure magic. Thank you to the pioneers of ITV who made it happen. It’s film history.”

The temporary truce will begin at 5pm EST (10pm BST), Donald Trump said, adding that he had excellent conversations with the leaders of both countries

Advertisement

Donald Trump has announced that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, claiming the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah will be the tenth war he has helped bring to a resolution.

The temporary truce is set to commence at 5pm EST (10pm BST), the US president stated in a Truth Social post, adding that he had “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu. He claimed both nations agreed to the truce following a meeting in Washington, D.C. — their first such encounter in 34 years — alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump stated that he has directed Rubio, Vice-President JD Vance and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine to collaborate with Israel and Lebanon to “achieve a Lasting PEACE”. He asserted that he has previously resolved “nine wars across the world”, with this representing his tenth peace deal.

Trump and his administration have claimed to have helped resolve or de-escalate the following conflicts:

It remains unclear which ninth war Trump is referring to. He may be alluding to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which he initiated with strikes on 28 February, reports the Mirror.

However, the reality appears to contradict the Trump administration’s assertions regarding the other eight conflicts. Violence persists in nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. India has flatly denied that Trump played any part in brokering a ceasefire with Pakistan, while Serbia has stated it had no intentions of pursuing a war with Kosovo.

In a subsequent post, Trump said he would invite Aoun and Netanyahu to the White House for the “first meaningful talks” between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.