by Hayley Robinson

Former EastEnders' star and Spandau Ballet singer Martin Kemp is to visit Sittingbourne to promote a film he has directed.

Stalker, described as a psychological thriller, will have its Kent premiere at the Avenue Theatre in Central Avenue, at 7.30pm on Friday, October 21.

Film fanatics will get the chance to meet the 1980s heart-throb as he will be available for a question and answer session at the end of the screening.

The 18-rated film, which took just four weeks to shoot and was produced on a budget of just £150,000, stars Anna Brecon and Jane March.

It's based on the 1976 horror The House on Straw Hill, which is also known as Expose.

Garth Spann, chairman of the Avenue Theatre, said: "We don't have many celebrities turning up here so it's quite a big thing. It should be a good night.

"The screening of Stalker came about because I asked Stuart Brennan [BAFTA winner for his performance in Risen, The Howard Winston Story] if we could show the film The Reverend which he stars in.

"The producer of it knows the producer of Stalker and he must have spoken to him because they asked if we'd show it and I said 'yes'. We're hoping there will be a lot of people on the night but the thing is with cinema-goers they don't tend to book in advance. The Risen sold out, which was the last film we showed.

"I'll be there on the night but possibly not watching the film as I'm not a horror fan."

Those interested in attending are urged to book early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets cost £5 and can be bought from the Avenue Theatre's box office on 01795 471140.

Chief reporter Hayley Robinson spoke exclusively to Martin Kemp about his life and hopes for the future.

To read the interview, see page 13 in the What's On leisure guide FREE inside the Sittingbourne Messenger.