Member of legendary 80s pop group opens up on death and ‘end of life plan’
He's faced many health issues.
Martin Kemp, the former bassist for Spandau Ballet, has shared his thoughts on his own mortality after facing significant health challenges, including brain tumours.
The singer was diagnosed with two benign brain tumours as a young man. In 1995, he underwent surgery to remove the tumours, and during the two-year period leading up to his operation, he often thought he wouldn’t make it out alive.
Speaking on his FFS! My Dad is Martin Kemp podcast which he shares with son Roman, he said that he would want the Capital FM host to make decisions on his end-of-life care over his elder child, Harley.
Martin said that this is because Roman, 32, is less emotional than his older sister Harley, 35.
‘You can block things out more easily,’ he said. ‘It’s not whether you’re a man or a woman, it’s who you are as a personality.’
He reassured his son: ‘When it comes to pulling the plug on someone… giving the doctor the wink and saying “that’s enough,” you’ll know.’
Martin was diagnosed with two benign brain tumours as a young man (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)The duo also spoke about organ donation, with Martin sharing his support while revealing he can’t be a potential donor as he ‘had hepatitis back in the day.’
He explained he had previously contracted Hepatitis A, adding: ‘Once you’ve had any form of [hepatitis], I don’t think you can do organ donation.’
‘When I’m gone, and I’m looking back at my body, I’ll think “I had a f*****g great time'”‘ Martin concluded.
In another chat on the podcast, Martin answered a question about how long he expects to live by saying that he thinks he only has ’10 years left to live.’
Kemp additionally shared: ‘When I went through all of that brain tumour scare, I spent two years of my life thinking I was going to die… every day, every year, every month that I’ve lived since then has been a bonus.’
Martin and his son Roman spoke frankly about the singer’s end-of-life plans (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) Spandau Ballet was comprised of Steve Norman, Tony Hadley, Martin Kemp, John Keeble, and Gary Kemp (Picture: Virginia Turbett/Redferns)He continued, explaining that his health issues have given him a sense of gratitude: ‘I was quite happy with my lot’ he said, adding that he had already experienced so much by the age of 34, considering himself lucky to have lived such a rich life.
Born in 1961, Martin’s journey to fame began at a young age. Along with his brother Gary, he was part of a new wave of young British actors, appearing in classic television shows like Dixon of Dock Green and Jackanory.
But it was in the late 1970s that his name became synonymous with the rise of New Romantic music, when he co-founded Spandau Ballet with Gary, Tony Hadley, Steve Norman, and John Keeble.
The band became a cornerstone of the era’s music, with hits like True, Gold, and Only When You Leave.
Their 1984 contribution to Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? also cemented them in the history of music.
Brothers Gary and Martin remain present in each other’s lives after Spandau Ballet (Picture: Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)Despite the group’s eventual split in the early 90s, their legacy as one of the most influential bands of the era lives on.
Beyond his musical career, Kemp is also well known for his acting, with perhaps his most famous role being that of Steve Owen in EastEnders from 1998 to 2002.
In recent years, Kemp has found a new public platform alongside his son Roman.
The pair have become a fan-favourite duo, starring in television shows like Martin & Roman’s Sunday Best and Celebrity Gogglebox.
Martin’s personal life also includes his long marriage to Shirlie Holliman, whom he wed in 1988.
Shirlie was a former backing singer for Wham! and half of the pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie.
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