Ross Kemp shared the heartbreaking news of his father, John Kemp’s passing at 88 years old. The renowned EastEnders star, 61, honored his late father in an emotional social media post before his funeral, calling John his “hero and role model.” Accompanied by a vintage photo of his father in military attire, Ross captioned, “John Kemp 1937–2025. Served his country, served his community, served his family. My hero. Love you always, Dad.”
Expressing admiration for his dad’s virtues, Ross mentioned, “Burying my Dad tomorrow. My hero, my role model, and a great dancer!” The heartfelt tribute received an outpouring of condolences from supporters and colleagues. Former EastEnders co-star James Farrar commented, “Mate. What beautiful words. For a beautiful bloke,” while Patsy Palmer and Lucy-Jo Hudson also extended their sympathies.
John, who had a distinguished career in the Metropolitan Police, had a significant impact on Ross’s upbringing. Born in Barking, Essex, Ross grew up with his mother Jean, a hairstylist, and his father John, a detective. Reflecting on his childhood, Ross humorously shared, “I take after both my parents – I can grill you then I can ask where you’re going on your holiday.” He fondly recalled his earliest realization of his father’s profession, noting, “I didn’t really realize he was a copper until I was a bit older. He just went to work in a suit but I realized soon enough when I saw him come home with a gun under his armpit.”
Despite his father’s law enforcement background, Ross forged his own path in acting, following his passion. After studying at the Douglas Webber Academy of Acting, he landed his breakthrough role in Emmerdale as Graham Lodsworth, a character with a military background. Reflecting on his career choices, Ross humorously acknowledged, “That seems to be a theme for me.”
In a recent episode of BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, Ross emotionally explored his family’s military legacy, shedding tears as he learned about their sacrifices. Recognized for his advocacy for the armed forces, Ross is a dedicated supporter of the Royal British Legion. Last year, he trained with the Gurkhas to raise funds for the charity, emphasizing the importance of remembering and supporting those affected by military service-related trauma.
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