:Ross Kemp Interview:

Ross Kemp had to master a particularly tough challenge in the new series of ULTIMATE FORCE - playing rugby badly.

"I used to play rugby in the second division of the London League for Brentwood and still play occasionally. Rugby is one of the few things in my life I've achieved something at, but in ULTIMATE FORCE I have to play it badly as my character Henno has never played before. It's very frustrating, but many of the people I play with will probably just say I'm being myself!"

Ross had less trouble in another scene that many would have balked at - swimming in freezing cold seawater at night.

"In the first episode, Jamie and Henno storm a boat in the dead of night. I was in the freezing cold Solent at 1.30 in the morning, in and out for a couple of hours with aqualungs and masks on. There was ice on the water in the quay and my hands and feet were freezing.

"It was quite tough to be underwater in the black depths, get your cue and come up to the surface for action. But I enjoyed doing it and making it realistic. Because we are all used to our roles, we can do more of the stunts and special effects ourselves, which is great."

Ross was delighted to return to the role of Henno Garvie, the leader of Red Troop in the SAS.

"ULTIMATE FORCE is every boy's dream. I’ve learnt how to use explosives and stun grenades and how to dismantle weapons. I've fired a machine gun and worked with live ammunition for the first time. It's a fantastic job. I know it's a bit violent but you can't make a show about the SAS without it being violent.

"This time around, there's more about the characters' personal lives and Henno gets a bit of romance - bit being the operative word. He and Pru from MI5 get together briefly but they get interrupted by work. They are well matched to each other in the professional way in which they both approach their jobs."

Adds Ross: "I'm like Henno in that I try and do my work as seriously and professionally as I can. It's important to make it as authentic and real as possible. If you expend too much energy laughing and talking with everyone before going for the scene, then you don't have anything left by the time you get there."

Filming as war was breaking out in Iraq focused Ross's mind on the real SAS.

"We get to run around and play at being soldiers without getting hurt, but we have also met a lot of the real troopers and they are great blokes, prepared to risk their lives for our country. I applaud them for what they do. It's strange shooting in the middle of a war and I really admire the guys who have fought this year, because some of them didn't get back."

Essex-born Ross is one of Britain's favourite actors. After nearly 10 years playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, he left to take up an exclusive contract with ITV, where his roles have included Without Motive and Hero of the Hour and the forthcoming dramas A Line in the Sand and The Crooked Man.

He still hasn't ruled out a return to EastEnders at some stage.

"I never say never about going back as they have left the door swinging wide open for me. I still admire the show and the people who work there immensely. Whether I can survive a week there making two hours of television I don't know. The sheer graft is something I'd need to consider.

"It takes four months to shoot six hours of ULTIMATE FORCE but EastEnders is a hard grind, a television factory. I was in it for 650 hours - more than most actors do in a lifetime!"

In the meantime, Ross is taking two new challenges.

"I'm doing my first job for American TV - Spartacus, starring Goran Visnjic from ER. I play Chinnar, who's in charge of the gladiatorial school and teaches Spartacus to be a gladiator. It's filmed in Bulgaria and I was really pleased to be asked.

"Then I go back to the stage for the first time in eight years to play Petruchio in a tour of The Taming of the Shrew for Thelma Holt. Of course I'm nervous about going on the stage - it's going to be hard work and more scary than doing any stunts on ULTIMATE FORCE. But Petruchio is a great character so hopefully once I'm up and running I'll make it my own."

Adds Ross: "I'm really proud of The Crooked Man and I'd love to do another series of ULTIMATE FORCE because I enjoy playing Henno."

Ross is married to Rebekah Wade, editor of The Sun, and in his spare time he enjoys tennis, rugby, running and Indonesian martial arts.