Ross Kemp looks like he’s been hitting the gym hard.

The 51-year-old has always been a meathead, playing Walford hardman Grant Mitchell in Eastenders.

You wouldn’t really mess with him in real life either – not after seeing scenes like this in Ross Kemp on Gangs where he stuck the frighteners on a gun-wielding gangster…

But now Kemp is set to head back to Albert Square for a special episode and he’s looking in pretty decent shape.

The BBC have released this teaser shot of ‘Grant’ in a vest looking like he’s been doing some serious chest work in the gym.

Kemp’s character hasn’t been seen for nearly 10 years but his on-screen mum Peggy Mitchell is stricken with cancer so he’s heading back to the square.

Peggy, played by Barbara Winsdor, is dying from the disease and her family – including Grant – rally round her.

But Kemp’s return is expected to cause fireworks on the landmark BBC show as he comes face to face with his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) who is now married to his ex-wife Sharon.

He first joined the soap in 1990 and enjoyed a nine year stint in the BBC show.

He returned to the square in October 2005, which helped boost ratings for Eastenders, before leaving again the following June.

Originally posted on JOE.co.uk.