Martin Kemp has spoken emotionally about his reunion with his wife of 37 years, Shirlie, following his exit from the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle. In an exclusive interview with the Mirror on Friday, 5th December 2025, the Spandau Ballet star revealed the touching and humorous first words she uttered upon seeing him.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
After three weeks apart, which Kemp described as "one of the hardest things he has ever done", the couple met at the end of the famous jungle bridge. He confessed he had been dreaming of hearing her voice for the entire duration of his stay. "She told me she loved me…..but that I needed a bath," Kemp shared, laughing. He was elated by the comment, stating it meant more to him than it had in years.
Speaking from a five-star hotel, the 63-year-old confirmed he had taken his wife's advice immediately. "I just stank of the campfire….the first shower was brilliant, and being able to take down your pants without anyone looking was superb," he said. However, he admitted the experience was bittersweet, as he found it difficult to make so many memories in camp without being able to share them instantly with Shirlie, the person he tells everything to first.
Shirlie's Reason for Sending Him In
Kemp disclosed that his wife had a specific motive for encouraging him to join the ITV reality show. "When we first spoke about doing it, Shirley said to me, 'You need to go because you need to learn how to make new friends.' And she’s absolutely right," he explained.
He reflected that being in the public eye for over 50 years had made him less adept at forming new friendships. His time in the camp, however, proved he still could. He enjoyed drifting between different campmates, from laughing with Ruby or 'Ginge' to having sensible conversations with Jack, whom he called a "walking encyclopedia."
Stepping Back for the Next Generation
Addressing viewers who felt he wasn't given enough airtime or trials, Martin Kemp revealed his conscious decision to step back. "I thought, I am at the end of my career," he stated. "I’m at a point where I’m slowing down a little bit, and the other guys are at the beginning. Why not give them a chance... it can do brilliant things for their career."
He also delighted fans by recounting several personal stories from the camp, including how the couple conceived on their wedding night after struggling with Shirlie's endometriosis diagnosis. He recalled the amusing moment Shirlie's mother asked if they had 'tried the Wheelbarrow,' a comment that mortified their son Roman, a previous I'm A Celeb contestant.
In a lighter revelation, Kemp confirmed he once auditioned for James Bond, knowing Pierce Brosnan had already secured the role. "I dined out on it for months," he chuckled, dismissing any current speculation by suggesting he might now be better suited to play a Bond villain instead.
Finally, he shared how his son Roman, who finished third in his series, quickly brought him back to earth after the emotional call with Shirlie. "Dad, I love you. Do you want to know the Arsenal scores?'" Roman asked, moving them straight onto football. Kemp expressed a father's pride, saying he was glad his son had outperformed him in the jungle, as every parent wants their child to do better.
