EXCLUSIVE: Ross Kemp has revealed that he never thought he would make a reality TV role after discovering that BBC bosses had wanted him on the first ever Strictly Come Dancing episode.
Strictly Come Dancing returns this weekend, with tonight’s launch show set to reveal which professional dancers the 15 celebrity contestants will be paired with.
The BAFTA winning show has had its fare share of scandal and controversies during its 21 years on air. The BBC dancing competition has changed drastically since it first aired and presented a twee, wholesome vibe back in May 2004.
Ahead of the first series premiering, which was eventually won by newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, BBC bosses was keen to get a national treasure in the form of Ross Kemp on the line-up.
But, unfortunately for the BBC, the EastEnders legend was a little busy in a very unique situation at the time. Chatting exclusively to the Mirror earlier this week, Kemp recalled the strange way he found out Strictly wanted him and if he would ever do reality TV in the future.
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After gaining notoriety for his role on Albert Square as Grant Mitchell, Kemp switched to documentaries, winning numerous awards including the Ross Kemp on Gangs BAFTA Award and numerous other accolades over the years.
Thanks to travelling the world and being put through his paces by professional soldiers for series like Ross Kemp in Afghanistan and Ross Kemp: Extreme World, signing up for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins would be a walk in the park for the former soap star/ So does he fancy it?
Kemp admits to us, “No, not really,” but we can understand. You never say never when I think about a lot of things. You shouldn’t ever say “no,” in my opinion. But no, because I’m incredibly busy right now.
A 5-part documentary is what I’m producing. I’ve only been exercising for 14 days straight. So I can focus on what I can do without having to compete right now. I’m asked to do a lot of celebrity stuff, and I really enjoy it watching. However, I’m not sure if I want to.
Kemp recalled how one offer from Strictly came to him while the show was still in its early stages: “I was out in Afghanistan filming] and had just returned to Camp Bastion. Mobile phones were once a brick-sized device in those days.
I turned my phone on in anticipation of hearing from my girlfriend. I received the message, “Hey, this is the BBC we’re doing a new dance show and it’s based on ballroom dancing, would you do?” instead of “hey, this is the BBC we’re doing a new dance show, and it’s based on ballroom dancing.” BEEEP .
“This is the BBC, then another one,” “. We’re doing… “So I sent about seven messages, and when I finally reached my girlfriend’s, I just heard “Hi Ross -” before [it cut out].”
Kemp will never rule out appearing on the BBC dancefloor, despite not wanting to wear sequins for the first season of Strictly. The actor and documentary will never completely shut down any opportunity that might come his way.
Nobody in this industry, my business, is able to say no to anything, he says, “because nothing is for certain,” he says.
“And that’s why I’ve invested my entire life in a pension,” he continued. And to be honest, I’m not the type of a ‘celebrity’ or whatever I am. I’m not the type of person to back a campaign with which I don’t actually concur.
Kemp is currently spearheading the most recent Pay Your Pension Some Attention campaign. The TV star urges people to take action right away and follow their retirement plans in three easy steps.
“Many of us care about getting in shape for the future; that’s why we work out more, eat better, and exercise more,” he said. However, you also have to pay that. You could increase your pension and save some serious money with a simple three-step training plan. Do yourself a favor and consider your pension, he advises.
Visit www. to get started. . . pensionattention today at uk.co.uk.
Source: Mirror
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