Discover Martin Kemp’s Rise to 80s Pop Stardom and His Marriage to a Famous Celebrity
Martin Kemp, the star of Spandau Ballet, is entering the jungle for the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. This year marks the 25th season of the popular ITV show, which premieres on November 16. The series is once again hosted by Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly. Martin, 64, is among ten celebrities participating in the challenges and trials set in the Australian wilderness.
Rise to Fame in the 1980s
Martin Kemp’s journey to stardom began in 1979 when he joined his brother Gary’s band, the Gentry. After a quick learning curve on the bass guitar, the band was rebranded as Spandau Ballet. The group achieved widespread success in the 1980s with several hit songs, including “True,” “Gold,” and “Through the Barricades.” Four of their albums made it into the top ten of the UK Albums Chart.
Career Challenges and Acting Ventures
The band split in the early 1990s due to a dispute over royalties. After the breakup, Martin and Gary ventured into acting. They both played the infamous Kray twins in the film The Krays. In the early 1990s, Martin moved to Los Angeles with his wife, Shirlie, marrying her in 1988. The couple welcomed two children: daughter Harley Moon, 36, and son Roman, 32.
- Moved back to the UK in 1995.
- Faced health challenges, including the removal of two benign brain tumors.
- Struggled with epilepsy post-surgery.
EastEnders and Reality Fame
In 1998, Martin joined the BBC soap EastEnders as Steve Owen. His character was involved in notable storylines like the murder of Saskia Duncan and the mystery “Who Shot Phil?” Martin became one of British television’s well-recognized faces. He won accolades, including the National Television Award for Most Popular Actor in 2000, and five British Soap Awards.
Subsequent Ventures and Family Collaborations
After leaving EastEnders in 2002, Martin Kemp appeared in various TV dramas. He also became the spokesperson for the furniture chain ScS. In 2012, he participated in Celebrity Big Brother, finishing in third place. Recently, he and Shirlie appeared as “Cat & Mouse” on The Masked Singer in 2023. The pair even released an album titled ‘In the Swing of It’ in 2019, which includes original songs by their daughter Harley.
Family and Father-Son Bond
Martin Kemp’s family ties run deep in the entertainment world. His son, Roman, also joined I’m A Celebrity… in 2019, finishing third. They have collaborated on ITV’s Martin & Roman’s Sunday Best! and host a podcast called ‘FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp.’ The father-son duo shares a close relationship, with Martin saying he values their time together.
On Preparing for the Jungle
As he prepares for his stint on I’m A Celebrity, Martin has taken advice from Roman, who encouraged him to enjoy the experience. On social media, he expressed excitement and humor about the challenges ahead, revealing his trepidation about living up to his son’s performance during the show.
With a remarkable career path and rich family connections, Martin Kemp continues to captivate audiences as he embarks on this new adventure in the jungle.
