Ross Kemp has come under fire for visiting an intensive care unit for coronavirus patients at Milton Keynes Hospital with a camera crew.
The investigative journalist, 55, took to Twitter on Friday to share a video of himself wearing a PPE mask inside the hospital after announcing his new show Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline.
The clip led to thousands of people slamming for the star for being ‘completely irresponsible’ and ‘tasteless’ to film a documentary on Twitter.
Outrage: Ross Kemp has come under fire for visiting an intensive care unit for coronavirus patients at Milton Keynes Hospital with a camera crew
Ross told his followers: ‘I’ve just been fitted for PPE and we’re about to go into an intensive care unit at Milton Keynes Hospital to witness the incredible efforts of medics treating Covid 19 patients. Please note we won’t be depleting the hospital’s PPE stock#COVID19 #coronavirus #nhs’.
He added: ‘I want to make it clear to everybody out there, even though we’re using NHS masks, we’re actually replacing those with the ones we have brought.
‘They’re too exactly the same standard and the health trusts are happy we are doing that. The reason we are wearing the same masks as the ones the doctors and nurses are wearing is so we don’t cause any alarm to the patients, so it’s about reassurance.
‘But I can assure you we are not taking anything from the NHS’.
Controversial: The investigative journalist, 55, took to Twitter on Friday to share a video of himself wearing a PPE mask inside the hospital after announcing his new show
Documentary: Ross said: ‘I’ve just been fitted for PPE and we’re about to go into an intensive care unit at Milton Keynes Hospital to witness the efforts of medics treating COVID-19’
Response: After the backlash Milton Keynes Hospital posted: ‘We are spending minimal time in high risk areas & are ensuring the crew are wearing full PPE, as per national guidelines’
Milton Keynes Hospital tweeted: ‘We are spending minimal time in high risk areas & are ensuring the crew are wearing full PPE, as per national guidelines. As @RossKemp says, they are replacing any PPE used. We hope this show will provide the general public with vital info & reassurance.’
MailOnline has contacted Ross’ representatives and Milton Keynes Hospital for further comment.
However, Ross’ video prompted mass outrage and sparked his name to trend on Twitter, with people mentioning the star more than 6,000 times at the point on publication.
One wrote: ‘Is that my family coming to see me before I die, no no that’s just Ross Kemp and a camera crew, gonna film this if you don’t mind.’
Fury: However, Ross’ video prompted mass outrage and sparked his name to trend on Twitter, with people mentioning the star more than 6,000 times at the point on publication
Another added: ‘Ross, this really doesn’t need to be done. Just go home.’
A third chimed: ‘No. Just no. If you’ve got PPE you are depleting the available supply. You have no medical training and cannot help, only hinder. You are not adhering to government advice, because this job is most definitely not essential. Go home.’
A fourth typed: ‘This is about as bad taste as you’ll get. “Look at me, I’m Ross”….’, while a fifth said: ‘Sheer madness to allow Ross Kemp in’
‘Is it just me or is this absolutely ridiculous??? People are fighting for their lives, Unable to have visits from family or friends, and big Ross Kemp comes rocking up with a film crew??’, added another Twitter user.
On Friday, Ross announced he was filming the show, which will air next Thursday, to document how medics are working tirelessly on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.
The former soap star, who rose to fame as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, said: ‘My team and I have been embedded in Milton Keynes … to tell the story of Covid-19. To show you, the sacrifices that NHS staff are making on our behalf.
‘We’ve been filming on the frontline with @NHSuk staff as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic and we’ve been following the patients who are fighting Covid-19.
‘First episode of Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline airs next Thursday 8.30 @itv. Please watch #COVIDー19#coronavirus.’