Hardman Ross Capped For Exploits On Rugby Field
Former EastEnders hardman Ross Kemp turned up to launch his new TV drama - and flashed a gappy smile after explaining that his front teeth had dropped out in a cup of tea.
The 35-year-old actor, known to millions as ex-Queen Vic landlord Grant Mitchell, blamed his toothy grin on a rugby injury as he attended the London screening of Hero Of The Hour, in which he stars as a caring family man.
Apologising for his late arrival, Kemp said: "You will have to excuse my sibilance, because my teeth have dropped out."
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Ross Kemp - A potted history
Ross was born in Barking, Essex, on July 1, 1964. A keen rugby player, he excelled in sport at school and still plays whenever he gets the opportunity. In fact, he once played for the Scaracens in his younger days. Deciding to study drama, he honed his acting skills at the Webber Douglas Academy. After appearing in rep, he moved into television. Early rolls on British TV included Emmerdale Farm (now Emmerdale), Birds Of A Feather (as a policeman) and an advert for the now defunct Kellogg's breakfast cereal Fruit And Fibre (as a psychotic golfer!).
Without doubt, Ross' big break came when he was chosen to play bad boy Grant Mitchell along with his brother Phil (played by Steve McFadden) in BBC-TV's popular Eastenders. The 'bruvvers' made their debut in February 1990.
Life as Grant was never dull. During his time as the man the UK loved to hate the Falklands War veteran was accused of murder (Vic landlord Eddie Royle), spent time in prison and set fire to his home injuring his wife Sharon. He managed to lose his first wife after she had an affair with his brother, which he then followed by having an affair with her best friend Michelle, fathering her son Mark. After a tempestuous second marriage and the birth of a daughter Courtney, Grant watched as his wife Tiffany was run over by his stepfather-in-law Frank. And that was after Grant had an affair with Louise, her mother! He then went on to have an affair with his brother's estranged wife Kathy and Nina, an ex-prostitute before bowing out of the series after hijacking a drug deal.
Whilst playing Grant, Ross was seldom seen in anything else. It was widely reported that he wished to play author and ex-SAS member Andy McNab in the TV adaptation of his book Bravo Two Zero, but this did not materialise. However, he did find time to play a drag artist in an episode of the BBC-TV series City Central (starring ex-Eastender Paul Nicholls), guest star in a two-part Dr Who special featuring many others from the cast of Eastenders and, in 1996, appeared in pantomime as Captain Hook in Peter Pan. In 1988, Ross was named as Top Soap Actor by the readers of TV Quick magazine.
He even managed to find time to take up the rectorship of Glasgow University! Elected by students with a majority of 543 votes, the honorary position lasts for three years and was previously filled by One Foot In The Grave star Richard Wilson. Shortly after accepting his roll, Ross was admitted to London's Princess Grace Hospital. He had contracted malaria during a holiday in Tanzania the previous month.
Ross called time on his roll as Grant in 1999, with the BBC announcing in March that he was to move to ITV for a reported £1.2 million. A BBC spokesman confirmed Kemp was leaving the show and said his autumn departure would be dramatic but not final. "We are disappointed that he is going to ITV but the door is always open for a return," the spokesman added. Co-star Barbara Windsor - his screen mother Peggy - pleaded with bosses at EastEnders to stick to their words, saying: "No more deaths, let him come back." She told GMTV he had talked through his decision with her before he left, adding: "I said don't ask my advice - I'm biased. I want you here with me every day. "I can't bear it. He is just the most darling man. He was always there for me - he was there for me when I was throwing up on my first day."
The filming of his blockbusting exit from the series took place in September. But the character of Grant Mitchell has not been killed off. After a special for BBC in which Ross went camping in Alaska - and rumours that he was to star in a movie directed by Huey from the US band Fun Lovin' Criminals - he moved to ITV, where he took up a two-year contract. His first appearance under this deal will be as a crooked security guard in the series Hero Of The Hour.
On October 27 1999, whilst filming Hero Of The Hour Ross required treatment in hospital after being shot in the face when a stunt went wrong. He suffered cuts to his chest and face after safety glass shattered and he was hit in the face by a blank. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Barnet Hospital in north London. A spokesman for London Weekend Television said: "He is fine. It sounds dramatic but he's OK." Shortly after this incident he turned down £27,000 a week to play Buttons in Cinderella at London's Hackney Empire because he wanted to pursue more serious parts.
Ross guards his privacy and is never very forthcoming unless he is talking about his career. He rarely, if ever, allows himself to be interviewed out of character and avoids the paparazzi whenever possible. He claims to be 'an emotional soul who enjoys writing poetry'. It was announced in early February 2000 that Ross was in discussions to take on the role of a gay soldier - a part that he is keen to play in an effort to put his Eastend hard man image behind him for good.