Martin Kemp’s wife, Shirlie, said she was “embarrassed” by what her husband said in the jungle. The Spandau Ballet star is taking part in this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! alongside a star-studded group.
The cast have been getting to know each other over the last week, discussing their personal lives and careers. During Sunday night’s episode of the ITV reality show, Martin led the group in some X-rated campfire chat.
Popstar Shirlie, 63, landed at Brisbane Airport today to cheer on her husband of 37 years as he takes part in I’m a Celebrity. Asked if she was embarrassed by his stories, Shirlie said: “Yes, I have been very embarrassed. Having to go out the next day and everyone at the gym going, ‘Oooh Martin’ but it’s all good, I am used to it.”
Martin told his celeb campmates that before they got married, the couple were trying to get pregnant but were unsuccessful because Shirlie had endometriosis. Martin then proceeded to stand up and demonstrate the position.
As well as embarrassing Shirlie, his comments also had the same reaction from their son Roman.
The TV presenter, 32, voiced his outrage on social media, sharing a meme of Homer Simpson alongside the caption: “My dad’s talking about ‘wheelbarrowing’ with my mum.”
Shirlie did say that she enjoyed one of his stories – when he revealed he was in the running to be 007. She said: “He would have made the best James Bond ever, the most handsome one, I think.”
Speaking about him being in the jungle and watching him on TV every night, Shirlie said: l: “I am loving it….it’s so funny to see him on the show.”
Martin often talks about his wife, including how their marriage could be null and void. Describing their wedding day to his campmates, he said: “I got married in St Lucia on a clifftop overlooking the Caribbean with just three people.”
He joked the ceremony was so basic “if you looked into it more you’d find we’re not married!”
Quizzed in the Bush Telegraph about his wife, he added: “Shirlie is everything for me, everything I do in my life, I do it for her.”
Kemp has been married to Shirlie since 1988. Shirlie was also no stranger to the spotlight as she began her career as one of the original backing dancers and singers for George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in Wham! in the early 1980s.
After leaving Wham!, she formed a duo with fellow backing singer Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque. They were known as “Pepsi and Shirlie”. Shirlie then took a break away from showbiz to give birth to her children.
Martin and Shirlie welcomed their first child into the world, a daughter called Harleymoon back in 1989. Shirlie gave birth to Roman, whose godfather is George Michael, four years later in 1993 when they were living in Los Angeles.
Roman is also a familiar face on our screens, with a long list of TV and radio credits to his name. He is currently part of one of the pairings who are swapping their luxury lifestyles for an adventure around the world.
The 32-year-old is taking part in the celebrity version of hit BBC show Race Across the World alongside his sister Harleymoon, who is a singer and songwriter.