He’s one of soap’s biggest names but this actor is now charging £60 for a personal recording to mark special occasions including weddings, birthdays and anniversaries
He played a major role in EastEnders’ 40th anniversary – but just a few weeks on and Ross Kemp is pushing Cameo-style video messages for Mothers’ Day.
The former BBC soap star charges £60 for a personalised message via his website, rising to £85 if it needs to be delivered within 48 hours. He will also provide a “business shout-out” with prices starting from £1,000.
The actor turned Bafta-winning documentary maker turned quizmaster promotes his video business on social media, telling punters this week: “Hi, it’s Ross Kemp here. I’d just like to remind you that, in three weeks’ time, it’s mother’s day. Now chocolates are nice but they come at a price and flowers only last a week but a personalised video message lasts a lifetime.”
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In the comments, one dismayed reader wonders: “How skint are you?” while another points out that a message from him costs far more than a box of chocolates, noting: “I’m sure you have a price.” But others are supportive, telling Ross: “What a beautiful gift.”
Ross, most famous for playing Albert Square’s Grant Mitchell, explains on his website that he got the idea for the messaging money-spinner after being inundated with requests. “Over the years I’ve had lots of people ask me to send them messages and now you can do that through this site,” he says. “All you have to do is type in what you want me to say, and leave your details, and I will do the rest.”
There are loads of happy customers who were thrilled after paying for the tough-guy and dad-of-four to send a message for events including birthdays, weddings, hen nights and anniversaries. Ross, 60, is the latest in a long line of celebrities to supplement their income by selling video messages. Others include Inbetweeners actor James Buckley, Harry Potter actors Warwick Davies and Miriam Margolyes and former Commons Speaker John Bercow.
When it was revealed that he was reprising his role as Grant for a “short stint” at the start of the year, Ross declared: “EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary is an absolute honour.” Ross Kemp on Gangs ran on Sky for four series from 2004, earning him a Bafta in 2007.
Some of the messages he has recorded for fans are in the style of his BBC gameshow Bridge of Lies, in which he often asks “Is that the truth or is it a lie?” The family-friendly Saturday teatime quiz is returning for a fourth run later this year, along with a celebrity version. Speaking last summer, Ross said: “I’ve had a lot of fun hosting this show for the past three years and I’m really grateful we’ve been asked to make more episodes than ever before with the new commissions.”
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