He is a musician, an actor and TV presenter. He has been in an award-winning band, a critically acclaimed film and a popular English soap – and now he will take centre stage at Wycombe Swan in the smash-hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet.

Martin Kemp, of Spandau Ballet, The Krays and EastEnders, plays legendary record producer Sam Phillips, at whose studio, Sun Records in Memphis, four rock ‘n’ roll icons – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins – came together for the first and only time for one of the greatest jam sessions of all time in December 1956.

Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Fever, That’s All Right, Sixteen Tons, Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On and Who Do You Love?

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press about the show, Mr Kemp said it was a “journey of discovery” for those who were not familiar with the stars’ music.

He said: “I did the show for three weeks last Christmas at the Royal Festival Hall in London and it was absolutely so much fun. We had people dancing in the aisles.

“If that’s your generation of music then you’ll love it, if it’s not then it’s kind of a journey of discovery.

“For me, I wasn’t born in the same era as the singers but I still relate to it because without those guys, I wouldn’t be here.”

Following its success in the West End, Las Vegas and on Broadway, the musical is inspired by the famous recording session that brought together the rock ‘n’ roll stars.

Speaking about why he took on the role of Sam Phillips, Mr Kemp said: “I always knew that recording existed and I always wanted to be a fly on a wall in that moment, and so for me, doing this show gives me that fly on the wall moment that I can relive.

“Sam is kind of the Malcolm McLaren of the 50s. When Malcolm McLaren put together punk, he was just at the sharp end of the music but leading up to that, he didn’t just invent punk rock, he took what was happening at that time, and he turned that into punk.

“Sam did a similar sort of thing – taking electric guitars and turning it into rock ‘n’ roll. The two of them had a very similar path.

“It’s a bunch of incredible musicians up on stage with me. They can play and sing like nothing you’ve ever heard. I’ve been in rock n roll all my life and I was sitting in the dressing room at the RFH and I was listening to them jam – it’s just unbelievable. It’s a real pleasure.”

Mr Kemp, who played Steve Owen on Eastenders from 1998 to 2002, and has starred in a number of films and television shows including The Krays and Embrace of the Vampire, said performing on TV and stage were “kind of like the same but different”.

“Being in theatre maybe you’re a little larger than life. In front of the camera on TV you make it a bit smaller. But they’re the same skill really,” he said.

“The best thing you get on stage is an audience reaction. And you can tell straightaway that people are enjoying what you are doing and getting what you’re delivering so that’s a really nice thing about it.”

Speaking about why people should watch Million Dollar Quartet, he said: “I would just say come and have some fun. Come and experience rock ‘n’ roll at its best.

“Whether it’s your era or whether or not your generation of music – if it is then it’s an amazing step back in time to your era.

“But if it’s not that, if you’re younger than that or can’t remember it, then it’s a journey of discovery – but everyone will have some fun across the board.”