Ross Kemp was today forced to defend his coronavirus documentary as thousands petition for it to be cancelled.
The former EastEnders star gets an exclusive look at how hospitals are battling COVID-19 in Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline.
In the ITV programme, Kemp has been given special access to an NHS hospital in Milton Keynes to see first hand how doctors and nursing staff are coping with the pandemic.
In it, Ross, 55, is seen walking around wearing essential personal protective equipment (PPE) - has come under fire as PPE is currently in very short supply within the health service.
Some have said that this equipment should have been given to front line workers who are currently battling to help those who have COVID-19.
Ross spoke out on Good Morning Britain saying “at no point were we a drain on resources”.
He told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “In terms of the PPE, we used one set, and we brought more than that and we left it behind, and it’s exactly the same standard, so they were happy with what we did.
“At no point were we a drain on resources, and only myself and the cameraman actually went into the ICU.
“We were there for a very short time – under half an hour.”
Ross also went on to praise NHS workers, who he branded “heroes”.
“The head of the ICU refers to it as a war,” he said.
“Heroism takes many shapes and forms and what I saw in that ICU and across that hospital were heroes.
“Anyone that is prepared to risk their own safety to save somebody else to me is a hero.”
Ross’ words come as around 2,500 people sign a petition to have the programme cancelled.
The Change.org petition calls on ITV to “do the right thing and pull the whole show”, adding that it will be sent to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.
Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline airs tonight at 8.30pm on ITV.
