Inside Martin and Shirlie Kemp's happy marriage - first crush to health battle

29 December 2023 , 19:30

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Martin Kemp and wife Shirlie fell in love before they even met (Image: Getty)

Martin and Shirlie Kemp describe themselves as 'best friends and soulmates' - but it hasn't always been easy for the happy couple.

Spandau Ballet's Martin and Wham! singer Shirlie had crushes on each other before they even met, after first laying eyes on each other on telly and in magazines. The pair, now both 61, have been through a lot in the last 40 years - but it's only made their relationship stronger.

In a recent interview, their son, Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp, opened up about how his dad only relies on his mum for friendship and finds it hard to trust anybody else. He told Radio Times: "My dad's favourite person is my mum!"

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It was George Michael who first introduced the pair and they 'owe him everything' (collect)

It was love at first sight for Martin when he saw Shirlie performing on Top Of The Pops on his telly at home in 1982. Martin told The Mirror a few years ago: "I remember being around my mum and dad's, my back was up against the sofa because I was sitting on the floor, watching Thursday night Top Of The Pops and Wham! came on."

He continued: "I saw Shirlie on there and absolutely fell in love through the television. You know, you fall into that bubble where you can't think of anything else. And that's how it was for me for a couple of weeks until we finally met." And the feeling was mutual for Shirlie. "I saw you in a magazine. I just got that feeling, I think I've fallen in love. That's how my crush started. After that you starred in my dreams for a long time," she reflected.

Kate Middleton teams up with Roman Kemp for short film discussing mental health

Knowing how infatuated Shirlie was with Martin, pal George Michael decided to arrange a meeting. Martin ended up leaving her his number, but Shirlie was too nervous to ring. "I thought he might be out of my league. I left his number in my pocket for ages. George was like, 'I just don't understand why you're not calling him'," she explained.

"I told him it was intimidating to call him. I mean, he was – he is – just so gorgeous. It was George who called Martin in the end. We were in his bedroom, and he picked up the phone, dialled the number and just gave me the phone. I was in at the deep end by then."

Martin said: "I really don't think Shirlie would have called me if he hadn't done that. We owe him everything. And he went on to be a massive part of our lives. He wasn't George Michael the superstar, he was one of our best mates." The couple wed in St Lucia in 1988, then in 1995, Martin was hit with a huge health worry.

Inside Martin and Shirlie Kemp's happy marriage - first crush to health battle

Martin battled two brain tumours and credits Shirlie for saving his life (LightRocket via Getty Images)

The actor was diagnosed with two brain tumours and was unable to work for three years. They had to downsize their home and Martin had invasive surgery to remove the largest, which left him with dyslexia, memory loss and epilepsy. The second op sounded even more risky and Shirlie worried he would die. "The damage would have been immense, I would probably have lost my sight, the use of my legs," he explained.

"I would have gone through with it, as the doctor had told me it was the only way. But Shirlie stood up and said, 'I don't think we want to do that'. She spent the next few months searching to try to find another way, and eventually found a new kind of treatment using lasers to blast tumours without the need for surgery." The procedure was a success, and Martin has 'no doubt' that Shirlie saved his life.

"Shirlie refusing to accept what the doctor said saved me. It made our love even stronger," Martin said. But Shirlie added: "He saved my life too. I do think what my life would be without him." The couple have two children, son Roman, now 30, and daughter Harley, 34, who is a singer. Their kids fleeing the nest has made them even closer - and while they hate spending time apart, they think it's the secret to their lasting marriage.

"When we do have to be apart, we appreciate each other more when we're together," Martin said. "That's one of the reasons we have lasted so long. When you come home and realise you love each other more than ever, you know you were always meant to be together."