![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_299008249-9bcd.jpg\")
\n\t\tSam and Grant Mitchell have left Walford once more (Picture: BBC \/ Metro)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tSam and Grant Mitchell have left Walford once more (Picture: BBC \/ Metro)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a day EastEnders <\/a>fans, myself included, have dreaded and sadly it\u2019s finally upon us as Sam Mitchell <\/a>(Kim Medcalf<\/a>) and Grant Mitchell<\/a> (Ross Kemp<\/a>) have departed Walford once more. <\/p>\n A moment please while we sob. <\/p>\n The legendary Mitchell siblings, Phil <\/a>(Steve McFadden<\/a>) included, reunited for the first time in a decade this year amid the powerful Nigel Bates<\/a> (Paul Bradley<\/a>) storyline and provided us with some of the best EastEnders moments in recent memory.<\/p>\n Having the iconic trio back on our screens was nothing short of joyous \u2013 and it certainly lived up to the hype \u2013 but what is it that they say? All good things come to an end. <\/p>\n And what a way to go out<\/a>, with Sam and Grant sneaking out of Walford with some help from Phil and Lauren Branning<\/a> (Jacqueline Jossa) after Max (Jake Wood) reported Grant to the police for arson. <\/p>\n Grant, who had been determined to build a relationship with son Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), took the blame for the cars torched by his estranged lad<\/a>. Mark was taken aback and realised the error of his ways in how he\u2019d been treating Grant, revealing that he was grateful. <\/p>\n \t\t Sam, meanwhile, decided that she would accompany Grant to Portugal too,having felt that her time in Walford was at an end. Thus the trio evaded the authorities together \u2013 just like old times!<\/p>\n The relationship between Sam, Phil and Grant has never been stronger, with the siblings in the best place they\u2019ve been in decades \u2013 and their scenes together, particularly during Nige\u2019s funeral, were electric.<\/p>\n Sam in particular has enjoyed one of her best stints to date on the show, with powerhouse star Kim Medcalf \u2013 who originally played Sam between 2002 and 2005, before returning in 2022 and again in 2025 \u2013 having quite the knack for elevating every scene that she\u2019s in.<\/p>\n \t\t Since her return last year<\/a>, Sam\u2019s character development has been pretty perfect. She not only proved a confidante for her often-warring siblings but also a shoulder for show icons outside her clan, including Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) \u2013 something that the character was never particularly utilised for previously which shows just how far she has come. <\/p>\n As a result, these aforementioned dynamics often ensured that the scenes in question were among the best the respective episodes had to offer. <\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t Don\u2019t stay away too long Sam! Walford won\u2019t be the same without you. <\/p>\n And same can be said for Grant. Having star Ross Kemp back as the legendary hard-man not only escalated the Nigel storyline to another level but it also allowed us the chance to finally explore Grant\u2019s difficult relationship with Mark \u2013 and his short-lived romance with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) was also a welcomed story move. <\/p>\n The Mitchells were back together again in 2026. Dreams really do come true. Can we do it again sometime soon please? <\/p>\n EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on\u00a0BBC<\/a>\u00a0One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Phil,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/561297-5c5f.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Mitchell siblings united for the first time in a decade (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/556095-cc39-e1778231503731.jpg\")
\n\t\tSam was among the best characters of the past year (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Grant](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779869958_139_557930-64c9.jpg\")
\n\t\tHaving Grant back as the same time as Sam was a joy (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779869958_757_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tNow you can ensure you never miss a story from the Soaps team<\/p>\n
\nMORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: EastEnders\u2019 Grant makes the ultimate sacrifice as stint comes to an explosive end<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: EastEnders fans beg bosses to bring Julie back after unexpected exit<\/a><\/p>\n