Grant Mitchell (EastEnders) at the 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2006 National Television Awards, and British Soap Award nominations for 'Villain of the Year' in 1999, and 'Spectacular Scene of the Year' in 2006, for Grant's brush with death in 'Get Johnny Week'. The character has been the focus of varying "EastEnders" merchandise in other media, which includes the VHS "EastEnders - The Mitchells - Naked Truths" and "EastEnders: Blood Ties - The Life and Loves of Grant Mitchell", a novelisation written by Kate Lock, which chronicles facts about the character, explores his background and attempts to explain the source of his aggression and
Sam Mitchell (EastEnders) brought Sam back to Walford. Annett has praised Medcalf's introduction, saying she was confident and that Barbara Windsor found her impressive. Sam's return to Walford saw her reignite an affair with her former, now married lover Steve Owen (Martin Kemp), who was embroiled in a feud with her brother Phil. Medcalf has revealed that she was extremely nervous when she was informed that she would have to enact love scenes with Kemp, who aside from his part in "EastEnders", was renowned to viewers as a member of the 1980s pop band Spandau Ballet. Speaking about the characters' affair, Medcalf has