Ross Kemp insists he’s not ‘any sort of a hard man’
In a claim that jars with a career defined by frontline reporting, volatile encounters and one of British television’s most enduring tough-guy roles, EastEnders actor Ross Kemp has insisted he is not “any sort of a hard man”.
Ross Kemp insists he is not “any sort of a hard man”.
In a claim that jars with a career defined by frontline reporting, volatile encounters and one of British television’s most enduring tough-guy roles, the 61-year-old actor and documentary-maker, best known for playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, has spent decades navigating dangerous environments – from conflict zones in Afghanistan and Syria to cartel territory in Colombia.
Yet, as he returns to Albert Square 36 years after Grant first appeared alongside his brother Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, Ross says the BBC soap remains his greatest challenge.
His latest storyline sees Grant return from Portugal to face his estranged son Mark and confront the decline of Nigel Bates, portrayed by Paul Bradley, amid a longer stint following the show’s 40th anniversary.
Ross said: “Nothing I’ve done fills me with fear more than EastEnders.”
He added: “EastEnders is still the one that pushes me the most.”
Ross was also quoted in his chat with Radio Times as saying he isn’t “any sort of a hard man, really”.
His reputation, however, has been forged in far riskier settings.
In Papua New Guinea he was faced with armed guerrillas he told: “You’re not going to kill me.”
And in his memoir, he described a drunken swim in crocodile-infested waters in Australia, challenging nearby animals to “come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough”.
Despite this, Ross said the emotional demands of his return to EastEnders proved more daunting.
He said: “You get up so early to get to set, and then at the top of the first page, it says, ‘Grant heaves with tears on seeing Nigel’.”
Filming coincided with a personal crisis.
Ross said: “I won’t go into detail, but something happened to my mum on the third day on set. And so heaving tears wasn’t difficult. I was like, ‘Cut! We’ve got that.’ And it’s still not even 8am.”
Between scenes, he described lighter moments on set.
Ross said: “There I am, pogoing at the tender age of 61. And there’s not much pogoing left in these knees.”
Reflecting on his craft, Ross said: “Oh, you definitely draw from real life, unless you use a tear stick, that’s the only way.”
He also praised his long-time co-star, saying: “I think Steve is still brilliant when it comes to playing a guy who could hit you with a piece of wood, but could also break down in tears.”
Ross has also spoken about masculinity and his upbringing, shaped by his father John.
During a retreat featured in his series Lost Boys, Deadly Men, he revealed the one thing he wanted to hear from him: “It’s not always about competition.”
