Ross Kemp, 59, best known for playing hard man Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, has said he would rather face a gang than take part in Strictly Come Dancing. The actor and documentary maker, who has reported from Afghanistan and among violent gangs, told 60 Seconds that he does not consider himself a hardman but has met a few who really want to be, and they end up in trouble.
Kemp, who is about to join luxury cruise line Cunard as an Insight Speaker on an Alaska voyage, reflected on his dangerous assignments. He described Afghanistan as the most lethal place he has ever been, with bullets whizzing past his head before 8am for over a month. Despite the risks, he said he is not reckless and always thinks about what he is doing, though the unknown appeals to him.
On his varied career, Kemp said he rarely says no to work and has a new series for Sky History coming up, as well as another series of Bridge Of Lies. He still boxes at 59 and does yoga, and joked that he is getting older and deserves some time on the Queen Elizabeth hoping to see a whale.
Regarding a return to EastEnders, Kemp said he would never say never but has to be asked first. He admitted he did not watch the show when he was in it, comparing it to a coal miner coming home to look at the coal scuttle. He stays in touch with Barbara Windsor's widower, Scott Mitchell, who lets him know what is happening in the soap.
