Former EastEnders star and Spandau Ballet icon Martin Kemp has officially entered the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle, creating a delightful family legacy six years after his son, Roman Kemp, became a fan favourite on the very same show.
Fatherly Advice and Friendly Rivalry
In a candid revelation, Martin Kemp admitted that his first port of call after being offered a place on the hit ITV programme was his 32-year-old son, Roman Kemp. The One Show host, who finished in third place during his own jungle adventure in 2019, was immediately supportive, encouraging his father to seize the opportunity.
"Roman was the first person I asked for advice about whether I should take the job," the 64-year-old actor told the Mail on Sunday. "He told me to go for it and said he was jealous of me going in."
However, the supportive dynamic took a humorous turn when Roman began offering a stream of unsolicited tips. Martin confessed he had to draw a line, telling his son, "Just leave it, Roman," out of a playful fear that Roman would take all the credit for any potential success.
Life Experience and Authenticity in the Camp
Martin Kemp believes his decades of life experience will serve him well in the challenging environment of the Australian jungle. He is determined to approach the experience with authenticity, a principle that has guided his entire career.
"The last thing I want to do is go in there and be false," he stated emphatically. "I've never done that and I don't want to start now."
The father-of-two also shared the amusing way he broke the news to his family, sending a picture of himself in the iconic jungle attire via a WhatsApp group chat, despite being "sworn to secrecy" by producers.
A Family Affair with Bushtucker Trials
Appearing on Roman's 'You About?' podcast before heading into the jungle, Martin expressed his genuine excitement, calling I'm a Celebrity "iconic television" and citing his son's 2019 stint as his favourite memory of the show.
He even felt a sense of connection when trying on his jungle gear, remarking, "I almost felt like I was putting on your clothes."
Eager for pointers, Martin asked Roman how to combat the notorious jungle boredom. The Capital FM host advised that campmates rely on conversation and, crucially, on taking part in the Bushtucker Trials. "I don't understand people who go in there and they don't want a trial," Roman said, "you want trials." He did, however, caution his dad about the intense pressure the trials create.
When the conversation turned to the show's infamous meals, such as crocodile feet and eels, Martin seemed unphased, recalling a childhood memory of his nan boiling jellied eels from the market. It seems this Kemp is ready for whatever the jungle serves up.
