Ross Kemp thinks The Celebrity Traitors is “one of the best TV shows around”.
Ross Kemp has joined the BBC show
The 62-year-old actor believes that the viewing figures for The Celebrity Traitors are a “testament” to the show’s quality, observing that it transcends “age groups and class” in the UK.
Asked why he decided to join the TV show, Ross told the BBC: “Because I think it is one of the best TV shows around.
“The figures and universal love are a testament to that. It transcends age groups and class, which I think is really important.”
The actor’s children are huge fans of the show, and he’s similarly fond of Claudia Winkleman, who hosts The Celebrity Traitors.
He explained: “My kids are absolutely obsessed with it, and they span ages fifteen to eight. I’m a great fan of Claudia, I think she’s very good at what she does, and I think the format is brilliant.”
Ross – who is best known for playing Grant Mitchell on EastEnders – hopes viewers will get to see a little of his real-life self during the new series.
The former soap star said: “I have been asked to do reality shows, and I don’t see this as a reality show. I see this as a game and that’s what really appeals to me.
“Purely on a selfish note, I think if I’m able to stay or survive for a period of time, it would give people an opportunity to see that I’m not just Grant Mitchell or a man that goes around the world confronting people with guns.”
Ross feels in control of things when he’s making a TV documentary. But he’s been left dealing with “imposter syndrome” since committing to The Celebrity Traitors.
The actor explained: “We’re a small tight-knit group on those shoots. Maybe three, four people maximum. Whereas this is huge and with some of the biggest celebrities in the United Kingdom and beyond.
“I’ve got a bit of imposter syndrome going on around that. Unless you’ve got an ego the size of a planet, which I don’t think most people have, then there’s an element of: A, I don’t have control over this; B, I don’t want to let the side down; and C, I don’t want to let my family down by making myself look an idiot.”
