George Michael played a pivotal role in helping create one of EastEnders’ most legendary characters. Michelle Collins, who plays Walford’s Cindy Beale, has shared how she and George Michael helped actor Martin Kemp land the role in 1998. The pop star, who tragically died in 2016, was close friends with Martin thanks to his wife Shirley, who was a backing singer for George’s band Wham! With Martin hoping to land a soap role following his success in the band Spandau Ballet, George helped facilitate his casting.
An ex-user claimed George Michael’s chance meeting with Cindy helped Martin Kemp get the role of Steve Owen in EastEnders. Michelle confirmed this, recounting a call from George Michael while in Milan asking her to get Martin into EastEnders. He joined the show a year later, and she joked, “I take 25% now.”
Martin stayed with EastEnders for four years, during which time we saw him take over the nightclub E20 and frame his DJ employee, Matthew Rose, for the murder of his ex, Sasia Duncan. He also had a tempestuous marriage to Mel Owen and a long-running rivalry with Phil Mitchell, becoming a prime suspect in the soap’s landmark “Who Shot Phil?” storyline in 2001. Martin’s memorable exit involved a dramatic car chase as he tried to help Phil’s ex, Lisa Shaw, escape with her daughter, Louise. The chase ended with Steve’s car exploding after Phil forced him off the road.
Years later, George himself was regularly referenced on the soap following the introduction of superfan Heather Trott, who even named her son after the Careless Whisper singer.
