Music legend and acting star Martin Kemp is trading London's bright lights for the Australian jungle as he's been confirmed as a surprise contestant for this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
The 62-year-old Spandau Ballet bassist, who famously played Steve Owen in EastEnders, is set to face his fears in the reality show's gruelling bush tucker trials when the series returns to ITV this November.
From Rock Star to Reality Star
Kemp, who found fame in the 1980s as part of the iconic new wave band Spandau Ballet, has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning music, television and film. His decision to join the jungle camp has surprised many fans who know him as the sophisticated musician behind hits like 'True' and 'Gold'.
'I never thought I'd see the day when Martin Kemp would be eating kangaroo testicles,' one fan commented online, reflecting the general astonishment at the casting news.
A New Challenge for the Veteran Performer
Despite his decades in the entertainment industry, Kemp has never undertaken anything quite like the jungle experience. The show will see him:
- Face his deepest fears in terrifying trials
- Live in basic conditions with fellow celebrities
- Battle hunger and exhaustion in the Australian wilderness
- Reveal a different side to his personality away from the stage lights
His son, Roman Kemp, previously expressed concerns about his father participating in the show, telling reporters: 'I don't know how he'd cope with the bugs and the lack of food.'
Why Now for the Music Icon?
Industry insiders suggest Kemp's decision to join the show comes at a perfect time in his career. Having recently celebrated Spandau Ballet's legacy and with his acting career well-established, the jungle offers an opportunity to connect with a new generation of fans.
The 2024 series of I'm A Celebrity promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with Kemp joining a diverse lineup of celebrities all vying to be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle.
Viewers can expect to see a very different side to the usually composed musician as he faces the show's notorious challenges head-on. Will the rock star royalty survive the basic camp conditions and terrifying trials? Only time will tell.
