Ross Kemp sees a 'squashed sultana' when he looks in the mirror

His words, not ours!

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Ross Kemp during the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Ross Kemp snapped at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards in 2022. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Ross Kemp has brutally revealed what he sees when he looks into the mirror.

Known for his gritty documentary series such as Ross Kemp on Gangs, Ross Kemp in Search of Pirates, and Ross Kemp Behind Bars: Inside Barlinnie, the former EastEnders actor was speaking to The Times about his appearance when he shared a grape-based comparison.

"I do try and make myself look presentable, which isn't easy with this face," he began.

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"I look in the mirror and think: squashed sultana. Do I wish I had a head of hair? Course, but I'd never have hair implants, or plastic surgery to fix this bit under my chin. This is me. If you don't like it, you know what you can do."

TV presenter and actor Ross Kemp at the launch of London Poppy Day, which will see over 2,000 volunteers and Armed Forces personnel hand out poppies and collect donations at Network Rail and TfL stations, in offices, and on the streets across the city. Picture date: Thursday November 2, 2023. (Photo by James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images)
The documentarian on London Poppy Day last year. (James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images)

Further along, Kemp, who still gets nervous infront of the camera, revealed how booze-fuelled fans will sometimes approach him out on the street.

"If they've been in the pub all day, they want to give you a hug sometimes or they might want to give you a little bit of a tap," he shared. "I went out for the first time in a long time to watch some rugby on a Friday night and yeah, there were blokes out there that were definitely up for showing me how tough they were."

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Despite the sweet-natured guys who want "a big hug" or a casual weep on his shoulder, though, Kemp isn't exactly exempt from rude encounters.

He recalled: "I think I've only turned down one selfie and that was because someone said, 'Oi, you! Give me a f****** selfie' and I went, 'Not today my friend'. It happens."

Watch: Ross Kemp feels "guilty" about making a living through his hard-hitting documentaries