Martin Kemp smiling at Deadpool event and son Roman smiling at BRITs
News

Martin Kemp admits ‘sadness’ over not ‘having time to spend with family’ amid ‘busy’ schedules

Martin opened up about having grown up kids

Martin Kemp has opened up about family life with his wife Shirlie and children Roman and Harley.

The Spandau Ballet star, 62, admitted he and his clan don’t “have time to do as much as we would like as a family” due to their busy schedules.

Martin and Shirlie, 62, are parents to daughter Harley, 35, and son Roman, 31.

Martin Kemp smiling with wife Shirlie at the NTAs
Shirlie and Martin have two children – Harley and Roman (Credit: Cover Images)

Martin Kemp on family life

Speaking to Woman’s Own, the singer said: “I have really special moments with Harley and Roman but, sadly, we’re all so busy with work that we don’t have time to do as much as we would like as a family.

“We’d love to go on holiday together more, but everyone has so much going on. When your kids leave home and they start their own life, you become almost like boyfriend and girlfriend again.”

The former EastEnders actor added: “It goes back to the beginning, and it’s more about what you two do together. Shirlie and I have a lot of fun. We’re in a lovely position.”

Martin Kemp and son Roman smiling at the ITV Palooza
Martin said he and his family struggle to find time to spend together due to their busy schedules (Credit: Cover Images)

Martin and Shirlie share a close bond with their children. Their son Roman has carved a career out in TV and radio.

He previously opened up about his close family dynamic. Speaking to the RadioTimes in 2023, Roman was asked what it was like growing up in a world of celebrities.

We’re all so busy with work that we don’t have time to do as much as we would like as a family.

He said: “I’ve hit the jackpot with my parents. I’m so privileged. I got every birthday present I ever wanted, I went on amazing family holidays. I had a celebrity experience as a kid.

“But the thing my parents have taught me, which I want to pass down to my children, is how to love and how to understand someone else’s point of view.”

Roman Kemp smiling at event
Roman shares a close bond with his family (Credit: Cover Images)

Roman on famous parents

However, he added at the time: “My upbringing gave me an opportunity to see that that the world isn’t as nice as people think it is. If someone thinks about fame, they think about the best parts of it. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a sob story for famous people – they do have it good. But it’s also very lonely.”

Read more: Martin Kemp shares his ‘regret’ as he admits why he doesn’t have ‘any mates’ in honest podcast chat

YouTube video player

So what do you think? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

Related Topics