Music and television icon Martin Kemp is trading his home comforts for the Australian wilderness as he joins the cast of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2025. The beloved entertainer is part of the line-up for the landmark 25th series of the hit ITV reality show, which is set to bring a fresh wave of celebrity campmates face-to-face with the jungle's infamous creepy crawlies.
From Bassist to Soap Star: Martin Kemp's Iconic Career
Martin Kemp first shot to fame in the world of music. He learned to play the bass guitar in just three months after being invited to join his brother Gary's band, The Gentry. This group would soon evolve into the globally successful new wave band Spandau Ballet.
As the band's bassist, Kemp enjoyed immense success, with Spandau Ballet achieving four top ten albums in the UK charts. His fame peaked in 1984 when he performed alongside a host of music legends on the iconic charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. Following the band's initial split in the 1990s, they reunited for a world tour in 2009.
Life After Spandau: EastEnders and Family
In the period between the band's split and reformation, Kemp successfully forged a new path in acting. He is best known to television audiences for his role as Steve Owen in EastEnders, a character he portrayed from 1998 to 2002 in over 200 episodes.
Away from the spotlight, Kemp is a family man. He is married to Shirlie Kemp, and together they are parents to radio host and TV personality Roman Kemp and a daughter named Harley Moon Kemp. Interestingly, his children are currently competing against each other on the BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World. Martin and Shirlie also recently appeared on The Masked Singer in 2023 disguised as the Cat & Mouse duo.
A Long-Awaited Jungle Adventure
Kemp's entry into the I'm a Celebrity camp feels like a long-awaited moment for many fans of the show. His diverse career spanning chart-topping music, gripping soap storylines, and his status as a family patriarch makes him a compelling contestant. Viewers will be eager to see how the Spandau Ballet and EastEnders favourite handles the gruelling Bushtucker Trials and camp life when the new series premieres.
