EastEnders role helped Martin Kemp recover from brain tumour ‘more than anything else’

Martin Kemp played “Steve Owen” in EastEnders between 1998-2002, which became his most revered performance on television. However, the Spandau Ballet bassist said that his friends urged him not to accept the role as they feared it would ruin his career.

Martin Kemp was diagnosed with two brain tumours in the early 1990s. The actor suffered from controlled epilepsy and had to undergo surgery to remove the tumours.

Kemp claimed that he struggled with cognitive functions at the time when the EastEnders makers approached him for the role. He said his brain wasn’t functioning properly, and he would turn right when he wanted to turn left.



However, Kemp thought of the offer as an opportunity to recover and took the role of the villain. He said his performance in EastEnders was “more than just a good job,” given his health condition at the time. During the five years, Steve Owen became one of the most memorable villains of the show that’s been running since 1985. In 2002, Kemp requested the makers to end his role, as he thought his character's time was up.

FAQs:

1. What happened to Martin Kemp in the early 1990s?
   Kemp was diagnosed with two brain tumors, which resulted in controlled epilepsy.
2. When did Martin Kemp join EastEnders?
   Kemp joined EastEnders in 1998 and played the iconic villain, Steve Owens, until 2002.