ITV target Kemp's 'EastEnders' return?

ITV chiefs are trying to prevent Ross Kemp from returning to EastEnders, by offering him a £500,000 contract to star in a new series of Ultimate Force, according to The People today.

Recent rumours have suggested that EastEnders producers are keen for Kemp, who played Grant Mitchell, to sign a new two-year contract, offering him £500,000 a year.

However, ITV executives are apparently hoping that, by offering him the same salary for considerably less work, Kemp will be convinced not to return to the BBC.

An ITV source told the newspaper, "Ross is far from signed, sealed and delivered to EastEnders. If he stays with ITV, he would earn the same for six hours' screen work a year as for 44 weeks of hard graft."

A spokesman for EastEnders said, "We are in early negotiations, but nothing is settled."