I’m a Celeb contestant Martin Kemp reduced fans to tears when he shared moving words and intimate footage of his family before he headed into the Australian jungle
Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp is sure to miss his loved ones while he takes part in ITV ’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. The musician and actor who played Steve Owen in EastEnders is clearly a committed family man.
Before he headed off to the Australian jungle the 64-year-old shared some vintage footage of his wife Shirlie and their two children with some heart wrenching words. The clip includes images and musings about life, death and all that’s in between. It features cute moments from when his kids were just babies and silver fox Martin had a head of brunette locks. His fans and even his daughter shared their feelings over the video, with some being reduced to tears.
Martin and Shirlie, who was a former backing singer for Wham! and one half of the pop duo Pepsi and Shirlie, have been married since 1998. They share grown up children, daughter Harley Moon, 36 and radio host and One Show presenter Roman Kemp, 32. The siblings recently made their debut on Celebrity Race Across the World and revealed that they rarely socialise together.
In August the eighties heartthrob took to Instagram to share an advert he stars in for Samsung to celebrate the launch of the new Galaxy Z Fold7. In it Martin is seen walking into a dark, empty cinema room as the words ‘Life unfolds fast’ appear. Old home video footage shows a shirtless and raven-haired Martin crouching down while watering the garden with his two young toddlers in the sunshine
His emotional voice over sees him wistfully talking about life with all its ups and downs. “Often the firsts feel like fireworks, lopsided footsteps on carpets, lemons that threaten to turn your face inside out,” he says as a baby is seen grimacing while sucking on the tart fruit.
He continues to talk about growing up as a child and its important milestones, reminiscing: “Or your shoes are too shiny and your mum, she’s crying more than you. You fall off a bike, you fall off again and again and again, until eventually, you fly. Which is to say flying is just part of learning to ride.”
The dialogue continues to discuss growing into adulthood, first kisses and meeting partners. “There are immeasurable days and immeasurable laughter and hugs, hugs that lift you clean off the floor,” he smiles. “You get down on one knee, in a restaurant or a field or a car park and the yes becomes an ‘I do’. With your something borrowed and your something blue and on the dance floor you hope that the music plays forever.”
At this point Martin and Shirlie are seen holding onto each other and dancing joyfully together. There is also footage of the pop stars singing a duet in the car. Later comes a clip of Shirlie curled up on the sofa holding baby Roman while Martin kisses his head and a chuckling Harley looks on.
As a wrinkled hand is stroked, the topic of death is touched upon as Martin, who along with Shirlie was great friends with the late George Micheal, laments: “There are always too many goodbyes and often too soon. We place flowers that we never wanted to buy and lay them where love and memory meet.”
He signs off with a heartfelt message about making the most of our time: “All of this is to say life unfolds fast. It’s all we can do to capture as much of it as we can. Hold onto the fireworks, the unmissable moments, the ones that remind us what it is to be alive.”
The ad went down a storm with the campmate’s fans who shared their adoration for it. “Made me cry… Well done,” one posted. Another commented: “I loved this video and cried when I saw the old videos of Shirlie and you who built a family, and it wasn’t just for that reason.. your words were beautiful and amazing.” Others agreed it was “beautiful” while Harley Moon even took to her dad’s Insta to share her thoughts on it. ““Love this,” she wrote alongside two heart emojis.
