photo: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/film-news/
Biography
Early life
His mother, Jean, was a hairdresser and his father, John, was a policeman with the Metropolitan Police force. He has a brother named Darren who is a documentary producer for the BBC.
Kemp attended Shenfield High School, where he is remembered as an excellent athlete. He wanted to be an actor from a young age and went on to study drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He has rarely been out of work since leaving the academy in 1985, appearing on stage, in films, on television and in various advertisements.
Acting Career
EastEnders
His first credited television appearance was in 1986, playing Graham Lodsworth in Emmerdale Farm (now Emmerdale). But by far his most famous role to date was his award-winning portrayal of hardman 'Grant Mitchell' in the popular BBC series EastEnders.
Kemp debuted as hard-man Grant along with Steve McFadden, who played Grant's brother Phil Mitchell, in February 1990. On-screen, Kemp, as Grant, was often at the centre of EastEnders' plots, amongst them marrying Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, daughter of "Dirty" Den Watts, before divorcing, after Sharon had an affair with Phil, and subsequently setting fire to their home. He fathered a child with Sharon's best friend Michelle, and married Tiffany Mitchell played by Martine McCutcheon, fathering a daughter in a rocky and sometimes violent marriage that ended in him chasing Tiffany under the wheels of a car.
Kemp left EastEnders in 1999, on a storyline that had Grant hijacking a drug deal which ended in him crashing his getaway car into the River Thames and presumed dead until a week later when he was seen with daughter Courtney at the airport getting on a plane to Brazil. He then moved from the BBC to ITV for a reported £1.2 million.
After EastEnders
Kemp's first role for ITV was in Hero Of The Hour. During its filming, on October 27 1999, Kemp 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 round. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Barnet Hospital in north London. Despite the dramatic-sounding incident Kemp recovered quickly and went back to acting.
Kemp was also star of the television series Without Motive and In Defence, in 2000. He continued to play to type in the 2002 series Ultimate Force. He also gained the role of 'Cirra' in the 2004 TV movie remake of the film Spartacus.
Return to EastEnders
In 2005 it was rumored the BBC was finalising a deal that would have Kemp return to EastEnders as Grant Mitchell for a three week period in October 2005. This has proved to be accurate, and Kemp had started filming in September 2005, his first appearance in the show was with his on-screen brother Phil on Monday 24 October 2005. During the run up to his return, BBC1 screened a promotional advert and was featured in practically every British television magazine. His deal with the BBC also allows him to direct episodes of Casualty and Holby City.
Since returning, Ross has also been involved in the BBC's Children in Need fundraising event for 2005.
Ross has also signed a further three month deal with the BBC, to reprise his role as Grant Mitchell once again, with filming beginning in January and his appearance in March.
Kemp also appeared in one episode of the Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant BBC comedy Extras in August 2005, playing a parody of himself.
Personal life and Glasgow University association
In 1999 he was elected as Rector of the University of Glasgow as the candidate of the Labour Club. However he resigned in 2001 after the Glasgow University Students' Representative Council passed a motion requesting him to do so, as many students had become dissatisfied with his performance in the role. It was pointed out that, through pressure of work, he had failed for two successive years to deliver the Fresher's Address, perhaps the most important public duty in the rector's calendar. He apparently alleged a vendetta against him by the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association, who he claimed were embittered by the fact that he had beaten their candidate, Ian Hamilton QC. He was succeeded by another actor, Greg Hemphill.
He is married to the journalist, Rebekah Wade, editor first of the News of the World and later of The Sun tabloid newspapers.
On 3 November 2005, it was reported that Ms Wade had been arrested that morning following an alleged assault on her husband. Wade was later released without charge and no further action is to be taken. Kemp refused medical attention for a thick lip.
