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Inside the life of Martin Kemp and his net worth

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Inside the life of Martin Kemp and his net worth
Inside the life of Martin Kemp and his net worth

SPANDAU Ballet star Martin Kemp has been a familiar face both on stage and on screen since the 1980s.

But who is he and what is his net worth? From his fortune to his time spent on screen, here’s everything you need to know about musician and actor Martin Kemp.

 Martin Kemp pictured attending the National Television Awards 2021 eiqeeiqttiqxeprw
Martin Kemp pictured attending the National Television Awards 2021Credit: Getty

Who is Martin Kemp?

Martin Kemp was born on October 10, 1961, in London.

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He is a musician and actor, who is best known as the bassist in Spandau Ballet, alongside younger brother and guitarist Gary Kemp.

Away from the world of work, Martin is married to Shirlie Holliman, a former backing singer for Wham! and one half of Pepsi and Shirlie.

The couple, who wed in 1988, share two children together - Harleymoon and TV and radio star Roman.

What is his net worth?

According to wealth website Celebrity Net Worth, as of December 2023, Martin Kemp has an estimated fortune of $4 million (£3,143,280).

This has been accumulated through his work with Spandau Ballet and also his TV gigs.

His son Roman, meanwhile, is believed to be worth $1.5 million (£1,79,097.50) according to Celebrity Net Worth.

The father and son duo often work together, and in 2020 even had their own show, Martin & Roman's Weekend Best! - on ITV.

At the time, it was reported that Martin and Roman were paid £220,000 each for the series.

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When did he join Spandau Ballet?

In 1979, Martin joined Spandau Ballet alongside his brother Gary Kemp.

The musician learned to play bass guitar in just three months, and started his music career in the band, which was at the time known as the Gentry. 

The group was later renamed Spandau Ballet and became one of the most successful groups of the 1980s.

They went on to release six albums during the decade, with True reaching No1 in the British charts.

But their most famous tune has to be their 1983 hit, Gold.

What TV shows has Martin Kemp appeared in?

Martin's biggest TV role was playing legendary villain Steve Owen in EastEnders between 1998 and 2002.

His character was involved in some of the most memorable storylines, including the ashtray murder of Saskia Duncan in Steve's nightclub e20.

Steve was eventually killed off after a speedy car chase, where he had taken Phil Mitchell's young daughter Louise and ended in a flaming wreck.

Martin has also starred in the ITV thriller The Brides In The Bath.

In his early career you may have also caught both Martin and his brother Gary playing East End gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray in the British film The Krays.

In 2012, the actor and musician placed third in the ninth series of Celebrity Big Brother.

In 2017, Martin was one of the judges on the Let It Shine panel, and in March 2018 he took part in Celebrity Bake Off.

Aside from starring in the above titles, Martin has popped up on our screens a few times since - appearing on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, Celebrity Gogglebox with Roman and performing with wife Shirlie on The Masked Singer as Cat and Mouse.

Much to the delight of fans, Spandau Ballet brothers Martin and Gary Kemp are returning to TV once more in 2023.

The sibling stars will appear in the BBC New Year comedy documentary special The Kemps: All Gold - which will see Rhys Thomas OBE given unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the brothers lives for a whole year.

Viewers can catch Martin and Gary on screen once more on December, 29, 2023.

The New Year comedy documentary special will air on BBC Two at 10pm.

Joanne Kavanagh

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