Martin Kemp wants 'EastEnders' return

Martin Kemp has admitted that he is eager to make a return to BBC soap EastEnders.

The actor played villain Steve Owen on the Walford drama from 1999 to 2002, when the nightclub boss was killed off in a car explosion.

In an interview with Closer magazine, Kemp commented: "Working on EastEnders was the best job I ever had. I want the producers to ring me up and get me back on the show.

"Steve was blown up, but I could come back as his evil twin!"

The 48-year-old, who recently played a number of comeback shows with Spandau Ballet, added that he is currently trying his best to keep a toned figure.

He said: "I go to the gym four times a week for an hour. I love binge eating so I pile on weight and then I have to spend two months working it off again. It's all exercise and Slim Fast shakes now. I live on the stuff - I'll have a shake for breakfast and lunch when I'm being particularly hardcore."

In 2006, Kemp claimed that Steve should never rise from the dead, saying: "You can't come back after dying in a car explosion. I couldn't go back like that."