Martin Kemp has revealed why he believes his 38-year marriage to wife Shirlie Kemp has been a success. The couple tied the knot in 1988 and share two children, television presenter Roman, 33, and Harleymoon, 36, who is a singer.
Father-Son Bonding on Irish Road Trip
For one of his recent projects, Martin joined forces with his son for their television programme, Martin and Roman's Irish Road Trip. The series follows the father-and-son pair from the north of Ireland to the south, with filming taking place across Antrim, Derry-Londonderry, Tyrone, Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Meath.
Discussing filming the programme, the former EastEnders actor was asked whether he missed his wife and daughter while he was away. The 64-year-old told Woman Magazine: "Not really. I was having a week away with Roman and having some father-and-son time and you're allowed to do that, I think that's great for you.
"I don't think everything you do as a family you need to all be together. You need to split up and enjoy each other individually every now and again."
He continued: "I love spending time with Harley on our own and me and Shirlie spend all our time together. That's a really healthy way to look at it."
The Secret to a Long Marriage
When questioned about the secret to their lengthy marriage, Martin explained that while he couldn't identify one particular reason, "a bedrock of friendship" was crucial. "If you lose that, if you stop being friends, you lose everything. Shirlie and I are best friends and that's how it works," he explained.
Martin and Shirlie first encountered one another during their respective music careers, when he was a member of Spandau Ballet and his future wife was working as a backing singer for Wham!, alongside Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque.
Recalling the moment he first spotted her performing on Top of the Pops, he told Mail Online: "I couldn't take my eyes off Shirlie. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen."
A Memorable First Date
After exchanging numbers, the couple arranged their first date, which also included George Michael, who served as a chaperone for his bandmate. Martin recalled: "I was walking down Camden High Street I saw Shirlie standing on the corner and my heart sank because she had brought her mate, and her mate was George Michael. We spent the evening trying to lose him."
Despite the awkwardness of their initial encounter, the late pop icon remained close to the couple right up until his death in 2016, and served as godfather to their two children.
Previously discussing his parents' relationship, Roman told The Mirror: "Their strong marriage is something I admire so much. As a teenager it was one of my biggest fears, them splitting up. I never wanted Dad to do Strictly Come Dancing in case the famous curse struck and it broke them up!"
