Ross Kemp forced to halt filming on dangerous prisons Channel 5 show due to 'incident'

Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp has had his new Channel 5 series halted

PA
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 02/10/2023

- 12:35

The former EastEnders star was set to head inside some of the world's most dangerous cell blocks

Production on a new Channel 5 series featuring Ross Kemp has had to be put on hold.

Kemp's debut documentary for the channel was set to send the 59-year-old behind the walls of some of the world's most dangerous prisons, coming face to face with their inhabitants.


Titled Ross Kemp: 72 Hours In..., the actor was scheduled to head to South America but those plans have been put on ice.

According to US publication Deadline, "conversations are taking place between the Paramount UK network and the producers following an incident".

The publication also adds that bosses are now working together to "try to revive the show" following the incident that occurred.

A spokesperson has addressed the pause in filming directly, as they said: "Filming had begun on the series...

Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp is known for heading to dangerous situations in his documentary-making

PA

"But due to unforeseen production challenges, we have made the practical decision to halt filming at the moment."

Kemp is no stranger to throwing himself into perilous situations in the name of documentary-making.

His CV already boasts titles including On Gangs, Ross Kemp Behind Bars and Ross Kemp & the Armed Police among others.

72 Hours In... however, promised to be one of his most daring projects yet, with the synopsis for the series teasing Kemp "goes behind bars in some of the world’s most high-security, high-risk prisons housing gang leaders, serial killers, violent criminals, drug lords and mass murderers".

Kemp himself even promoted the series by hinting he'd be going fully immerse himself in the environment, going "further than ever before".

While Kemp himself hasn't spoken publicly about the decision to halt the series, he has returned to social media in the wake of the postponement.

But instead, the former EastEnders star had kind words for fans regarding a different work project away from the screen.

Kemp decided to thank fans who'd attended his book signing for his new book, Take Nothing For Granted.

"Thank you to everyone who made last week so memorable," Kemp penned. "I loved meeting all of you at the book signings, and I hope you enjoy the book.

"Have a great week," he signed off, prompting a number of fans to share their well wishes in the comments.

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