Martin Kemp

Evil Steve is due for a smashing EastEnders sendoff tonight - or will he be returning to the Square? Read our internet guide to find out
1. EastEnders fans will tonight bid farewell to one of the show's top baddies. Albert Square's resident business tycoon, Steve Owen, has managed to survive a murder trial, Phil Mitchell's shady business deals and marriage to Mel, but he may not outlast tonight's episode.

2. Hard man Phil Mitchell chases Steve Owen to prevent him from flying to America with his baby daughter Louise and causes him to have a car crash. Will Steve survive? EastEnders aficionados can hardly bear the suspense.

3. Hopefully Steve's thunder will not be stolen by today's surprise news about fellow cast-member Jack Ryder. The teen heartthrob, who plays cute kid turned aspiring hardman Jamie, and is engaged to fiery ex-Popstar Kym Marsh, has announced he is to leave EastEnders this November in pursuit of a film career.

4. Martin Kemp, Steve Owen's real-life incarnation, is better known by non EastEnders followers for being a member of 80s Romantic pop group Spandau Ballet, which had a string of hits such as True and Gold.

5. Kemp played bass guitar in the band but was perhaps more famous for being the band's pretty pin-up boy.

6. After Spandau Ballet broke up, Kemp resumed his acting career and, together with ex-band member and brother Gary, played East End gangsters the Krays.

7. As a child, Kemp could have joined Arsenal FC, but decided to go for pop stardom instead.

8. He married fellow 80s survivor Shirlie Holliman (as in Pepsi and Shirlie, Wham!'s backing singers). George Michael played cupid and pushed Shirlie into Martin's arms. Isn't that sweet ...

9. Kemp also survived two brain tumours and had to learn to walk again, before returning to the top by joining EastEnders in 1998.

10. Kemp is leaving the BBC's flagship drama for a rumoured £1m two-year deal with ITV, where he joins fellow ex-EastEnder Ross Kemp (Grant Mitchell).