Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ross: My tribute to Babs
He plans Alzheimer’s documentary
ROSS Kemp says his EastEnders mum Barbara Windsor has inspired him to make a documentary about Alzheimer’s disease.
The pair have been close pals since they appeared in the BBC soap as Grant and Peggy Mitchell, alongside Steve McFadden as Grant’s brother Phil.
Dame Barbara, 81 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in April 2014.
Now Ross – known for his hardhitting documentaries, including his new Living With series – wants to shine a light on the brain disorder.
He said: “I’d like to do a show on Alzheimer’s. Living With... could be anything, cancer, mental illness, Boris Johnson.”
Ross, 54, keeps in touch with Babs’ husband Scott Mitchell, who has always been open about the Carry On star’s condition.
Ross said: “I spoke to Scott last week. She has good days and days that aren’t so good. She’s affected by light, so when it gets dark it gets difficult.
“She’s Barbara Windsor and we love her. I’m going to drop by next week.”
Ross last appeared in Enders in 2016 after Babs asked him to come back for Peggy’s exit. But despite his move into more serious territory, he does not rule out a return to Albert Square.
He said: “Never say never. There is always space in my schedule!”
Ross’ latest series looks into a range of issues including knife crime and young carers. In Ross Kemp: Living With Homelessness, on ITV at 7.30pm on Thursday, he sleeps rough.
The dad of four said he hugged his family tighter than usual when he got home. But he reckons homelessness could happen to anybody.
He warned: “We are all three mishaps away from ending up on the streets. People are there for various reasons. Yes, some are on drugs – but
others aren’t.”