EastEnders could be welcoming back a legend, as things are set to take a turn for the worse for Phil Mitchell.

Walford icon Phil (Steve McFadden) has had a dramatic few months. Last year, he found out he was the secret father to Sharon Watts’ (Letitia Dean) child Albie and his other son Ben (Max Bowden) was sent to prison in the US.

The arrival of estranged Mitchell Stevie (Alan Ford) earlier this year also ruffled Phil’s feathers. Adamant that Billy’s (Perry Fenwick) dad Stevie was “scum” Phil even planted some stolen cash on Stevie to try and frame him.

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The truth eventually came out though – leaving Billy, and the rest of the Mitchell clan, fuming, and they appeared to cut ties with Phil. He then went and alienated himself from his family even more when he snapped at his son Raymond.

Fuming, mum Denise Fox (Diane Parish) then moved him and herself in with Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter). The fall-out left Phil overcome with emotion, and he broke down in tears.

As a result of Phil now feeling totally alone, fans reckon a heartbreaking loneliness and mental health storyline is in store for Phil that could see the shock comeback of Phil’s brother, Grant (Ross Kemp).

Over on an EastEnders online fan forum, one person said: “I have a gut feeling we will get an announcement or maybe a shock surprise of Grant Mitchell returning for the 40th. I feel like they are setting for his return from Phil’s current mental crisis storyline.”

Someone else agreed and penned: “I think so as well.” A third wrote: “I actually wouldn’t be surprised if Ross is going to be announced for one of these many short stints that are happening lately.

“With this Phil Loneliness Sl slowly being set up as his next SL, I would be surprised if RK is tempted back on a temporary basis,” they added.

Soap bad boy Grant made his debut on the soap in 1990 but left in 1999. He has since made several brief returns over the years. The character’s most recent appearance was in 2016 for ten exits on-screen mum Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).