KEMP TO JOIN ITV

MARTIN KEMP is to join ITV on a two-year exclusive contract. He will leave ‘Eastenders’ when his contract expires in April 2002 and will join ITV in May.
Kemp joined ‘Eastenders’ in October 1998 as Steve Owen, a role for which he has won three Best Actor awards, at the British Soap Awards in May and at last year’s National Television Awards and TV Quick Awards. He will star in a number of drama projects for ITV over the two-year period.
Nick Elliott, ITV’s Controller of Drama said: “I am thrilled that Martin has been attracted by this opportunity to develop his career with ITV. ITV leads the way in quality, popular drama and Martin is an extremely talented actor. We think it’s a great combination. There are some very strong programme ideas on the table for Martin and we are really looking forward to working with him.”
Kemp said: “I have had a wonderful time at ‘Eastenders’ and I will be very sad to leave, but I feel that its time to move on. This new relationship with ITV will be a great opportunity for me to develop my career across a range of projects and I’m really excited about working with them in the future.” (CD)