Ross Kemp Living With…

Former EastEnders hardman Ross Kemp pulls no punches with four-part documentary series Living With… as he travels across the country to meet people living with some of the biggest issues affecting Britain today – homelessness, knife crime, young carers and online gambling addiction. Prepare for some shocking truths…

‘I might try comedy next …!’

Actor and documentary-maker Ross Kemp, 55, is married to Renee O’Brien and has four children, including twin girls Ava and Kitty, two in September.

Tell us about your new show?

I tackle four big issues in the UK. We can’t solve them, but I hope we can shine a light on them. It goes out against EastEnders, so I really hope people watch it!

You sleep on the street, among other things. Has it changed your attitude to homelessness?

Definitely. I was one of those people who didn’t go for eye contact with people in sleeping bags. There’s a parallel universe we have no idea about. Three homeless people are attacked in the UK every day. The only person who spoke to me that Friday, when I spent four hours in a doorway, was trying to sell me drugs.

Your documentaries are certainly eye-opening…

I hope so. It’s the same with knife crime and young carers. In Blackburn, I met young carers who were seven, six and five living in an icy cold house with no carpet. Their childhood gone. Should they be looking after adults? My eight-year-old and four-year-old couldn’t look after me! Those kids have no choice.

You were great in Extras. Ever fancy doing some lighter TV?!

Can you get me a comedy agent, please? I might start doing standup! Yeah, it’s not easy to shake heavy topics off when you come home sometimes. But you know what? It wouldn’t be worth it if it was easy. A pint earned tastes better than a pint not earned.

What is like being a father of four?

I love it. Particularly getting on my hands and knees

‘It’s not easy to shake heavy topics off. But you know what? It wouldn’t be worth it if it was easy’

after every mealtime with the Dyson, trying to clear up sweet potato. I will never understand why my wife gives my kids quinoa. It’s a b**ch to clean up!

In your fifties, are you more aware of staying healthy?

My wife drills it into me every day, but I’ve always been pretty healthy. I’m off to yoga tonight! Hot yoga, so I can sweat it all out.

Where’s your happy place?

My back garden in the sun, with my family and a pint of Rebellion IPA. Ross Kemp Living With… continues Thursdays on ITV, 7.30pm