Ross Kemp on returning to EastEnders: ‘I was really nervous – I’ll be in therapy by the summer’

'Nervous': Ross Kemp was worried about returning to EastEnders
ITV/This Morning
Jennifer Ruby13 May 2016

Ross Kemp has admitted to feeling ‘nervous’ and ‘emotional’ during his first day back in Walford.

The soap star-turned-documentary filmmaker, who returns to EastEnders on Friday night, claims that he was coerced into returning by Barbara Windsor.

Speaking on This Morning, he said: “It was great to work with Steve McFadden again, who plays Phil, and with Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon.

“First scene, first morning, three days in after coming straight back from Mozambique, jet lagged, really scared, really nervous.

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“I got ambushed by Barbara,” he said, explaining his reasons for returning. “And who would say no to Dame Barbara?

“I’ve got a career making documentaries as you know.

“I have had a tough year I’ve been to Iraq, Syria and to sandwich that between Walford, I thought was maybe a bridge too far.”

Speaking about the level of expectation that he feels this time around, Kemp said:

“When I first joined it, 20 years ago, there was no expectation and of course as you get older there is more expectation placed upon your shoulders and I didn't want to let people down, particularly Barbara.”

The actor confirmed that he would be returning for a further three weeks’ worth of episodes following the death of Peggy Mitchell.

“I have to go back for another three weeks to finish off the storyline, after Peggy leaves.

“So it’s been an interesting year, I think I’ll be in therapy by the summer!"

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