Billy Mitchell (EastEnders) revealed in 2006 that the role was extended by "coincidence and chance": "I was offered four episodes and here I am, about 800 later. [...] Ross Kemp (Grant) said that he was leaving, and there was a gap in the Mitchell family, so they brought me back to do stuff towards his leaving. After that they offered me a year." Billy was reintroduced in 1999, making recurring appearances. He was involved in the leaving storyline of Grant Mitchell in October 1999, before returning later in the year as a regular character. When Billy was first introduced, he was depicted as
Martin Kemp Martin Kemp Martin John Kemp (born 10 October 1961) is an English actor, director, musician, occasional television presenter, best known as the bassist in the new wave band Spandau Ballet and for his role as Steve Owen in "EastEnders". He is the younger brother of Gary Kemp, who is also a member of Spandau Ballet and an actor. Martin Kemp finished third in the summer series of "Celebrity Big Brother" 2012. In 2017, Kemp appeared as a judge on the BBC show, "Let It Shine". Kemp was born to parents Frank and Eileen Kemp at their house in Islington, north