Danny Dyer wants to "have a tear-up" with Ross Kemp on EastEnders

Ross Kemp is returning to EastEnders - and Danny Dyer is eager to have a showdown with the actor's "iconic" character Grant Mitchell.

Speaking to press including Digital Spy backstage at the National Television Awards 2016, Dyer said it was "a shame" that 'Enders veteran Barbara Windsor is leaving the soap for good - but admitted he was "very excited" for his character Mick to share a scene with Grant.

"I'd like to have a tear-up with him," he said. "I would like to see him come in and throw his weight around.

"He hasn't been in Walford for a while, so I'd like to go toe-to-toe with him.

"He's a lovely man, Ross. But yeah, I think it's great - it's an iconic character so it'll be interesting to see what he brings to the table."

Dyer revealed that Kemp's fan-pleasing return had been "on-and-off, on-and-off" for a while, before it was announced publicly earlier this week.

"Now he's coming back..." Dyer said. "...and it's a beautiful thing!"

EastEnders won big at the NTAs, being named best Serial Drama while Dyer picked up the award best Serial Drama Performance.