September 24th 2024.
Have you ever wondered how Steve Owen became one of the most iconic characters on EastEnders? From accidentally killing an old flame with an ashtray to dying in a dramatic car chase, his time on the show was definitely eventful. But what you may not know is that the credit for bringing this unforgettable character to life goes to not one, but two huge icons in the entertainment industry.
Michelle Collins, who played Walford's very own Cindy Beale, recently shared the story of how she and the late George Michael helped actor Martin Kemp secure the role of Steve Owen back in 1998. As it turns out, George and Martin were close friends, thanks to Martin's wife Shirlie, who was a backing singer for George's band Wham!. And when Martin expressed his interest in joining a soap after his success with Spandau Ballet, George was more than happy to lend a helping hand.
It's amazing to think about the influence that George had on Martin's career. In fact, just recently, a user on X shared a fun fact about how George's chance encounter with Michelle at a party played a role in Martin getting the job on EastEnders. And Michelle herself reposted the story, confirming its truthfulness.
This isn't the first time Michelle has shared this story. In fact, she previously revealed more details about her exchanges with George during an appearance on The One Show last year. Speaking to Martin's son Roman, who is also George's godson, she recalled how George called her to ask if she could help Martin get a role on EastEnders. And a year later, Martin was on the show, proving his talent and securing the role on his own merit. But as Michelle jokingly added, she takes 25% of the credit for her role in making it happen.
During his four years on EastEnders, Martin's character Steve Owen became a central figure in the show's dramatic storylines. He took over the nightclub e20, framed his DJ employee for murder, and had a tumultuous marriage to Mel Owen. He also had a long-standing rivalry with Phil Mitchell, which reached its peak during the iconic 'Who Shot Phil?' storyline in 2001.
But perhaps one of the most memorable moments in Steve's storyline was his exit, which saw him trying to help Lisa Shaw escape with their daughter Louise. In a dramatic car chase, Steve's car ultimately exploded after Phil forced it off the road, resulting in his death. And even years after his departure, George's impact on the show continued, with the introduction of superfan Heather Trott, who even named her son after the legendary singer.
Don't forget to catch EastEnders from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or on iPlayer. And if you have any soap or TV stories, videos, or pictures to share, feel free to reach out to us via email. We'd love to hear from you and keep you updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Join the community by leaving a comment below.
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