Ross Kemp has said he has never “laughed so much in all my life” while appearing on The Celebrity Traitors, as he launched the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) 20th London Poppy Day.
The 62-year-old EastEnders actor appeared in the latest series of the BBC game show, where he was murdered in plain sight by the traitors Maya Jama, James Acaster and King Kenny.
Launching London Poppy Day 2026
Speaking at the launch of the RBL’s London Poppy Day 2026 on Thursday, Kemp said he was looking forward to reuniting with the cast for the series finale on Friday.
He told the Press Association: “I’ll always be 100% faithful to the faithfuls and 100% faithful to the Royal British Legion.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow, seeing the final episode. It’ll be fun. It’ll be good fun to see some of the people again, or most of them, I should say.”
Some of the cast will reunite on Friday as the finalists join presenters Claudia Winkleman and Ed Gamble in front of a live audience for a special edition of its sister show, The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked.
Kemp’s Traitors Experience
Kemp added: “In certain places I never laughed so much in all my life.
“I really enjoyed it, more so than I thought I was going to.”
Kemp also said he was “honoured” to mark the 20th anniversary of London Poppy Day, the capital’s annual fundraising event for the armed forces community.
Fundraising Milestone
Launching the appeal aboard a Thames Clippers service on the River Thames – a first for the event – Kemp joined the city-wide fundraising effort that will see nearly 2,500 armed forces personnel and volunteers collect donations at stations, transport hubs and other busy locations across the capital.
Kemp said in a statement: “I’m honoured to be back and supporting the Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day this year. Twenty years of fundraising in the capital is a fantastic milestone, and it’s always a pleasure to see so many people coming together to support the Armed Forces community.
“I’d encourage everyone in London to get behind this year’s Poppy Appeal, give what they can and help the Royal British Legion continue its vital work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families.”
Donations from London Poppy Day and the Poppy Appeal raise funds to support the armed forces community, including serving personnel, veterans and their families throughout their lives.
The campaign encourages the public to wear a poppy to send a personal message of thanks and recognition to those who have served.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted to support London Poppy Day as we mark the 20th anniversary of this important event in our capital.
“This is the biggest one-day city collection of its kind in Europe, and I’d like to thank all the Armed Forces personnel and Poppy Appeal collectors who will be out fundraising across the city.
“I hope Londoners will once again show their generosity and help the Royal British Legion continue its vital work supporting veterans, serving personnel and their families.”
Events and Impact
Military bands and choirs will be performing at nearly 22 stations including Waterloo, Liverpool Street, Euston and London Bridge.
Commuters will also hear a specially recorded Tannoy announcement from award-winning singer and musical theatre star, Dame Elaine Paige, inviting them to get involved.
Lucy Inskip, the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal director, said: “Every poppy worn and every donation given helps us be there for the Armed Forces community, from serving personnel and veterans to the loved ones who share the challenges and sacrifices of service.
“As London Poppy Day marks its 20th anniversary, I hope people across the capital will get involved, enjoying the various military bands and choirs performing across major stations across London and give what they can.”
Launched in 2006, London Poppy Day has grown into Europe’s largest one-day street collection. In 2025, the event raised £1.478 million for the RBL’s Poppy Appeal, helping fund life-changing support for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
The RBL supports armed forces families from day one of service throughout their lives, providing guidance during deployment, helping with financial hardship, support after a bereavement, or caring for a loved one in old age.
