Shirlie Kemp: Everything You Need To Know About Martin Kemp’s Wife
Shirlie Kemp, formerly Holliman, is a celebrity in her own right. Wife of Spandau Ballet and Eastenders star Martin Kemp, Shirlie has had a great career of her own. Find out everything you ever wanted to know about Shirlie, their marriage, and their children below.
Who Is Shirlie Kemp?
Shirlie is a singer, and was a backing singer for Wham! in the 1980s. She was born and raised on a Watford council estate, where she was one of five children in the family! Shirlie Kemp’s childhood dream was to be a horseriding insctructor. But after she developed hayfever in her teens, that dream was put to rest. Her boyfriend at the time, Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley asked her to come and dance at a gig he was performing with George, and the rest is history!
Shirlie Kemp’s Music Career
Shirlie Kemp was a backing singer for Wham! until their split in 1986. Shirlie sang backup on all their records and at every concert. After Wham! was no more, Shirlie and fellow backing singer Pepsi DeMacque started their own act, called Pepsi and Shirlie. They had two UK top 10 hits. And while Shirlie semi retired from performing after the birth of her daughter, the singers reunited to record backing vocals for Geri Halliwell, and for Wham’s anniversary tour in 2011.
Image Source/ Wikipedia
Shirlie and Martin Kemp’s Relationship
Shirlie Kemp and Martin were introduced to each other by none other than George Michael! The couple started dating in 1983, but Martin had previously seen her perform as a backing singer to Wham! and reportedly couldn’t take his eyes off her. He said:
“I couldn’t take my eyes off Shirlie. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”
A couple of weeks later, they bumped into each other again – and swapped numbers! But apparently Shirlie didn’t call for three whole weeks! Finally, a first date was arranged, chaperoned by none other than George Michael – who came along to support a very nervous Shirlie. About the date, Martin has said:
“As I was walking down Camden High Street I saw Shirlie standing on the corner and my heart sank because she had brought her mate, and her mate was George Michael.”
But there were never any hard feelings about that first encounter, and the couple remained close with George until his death in 2015. He was even the godfather to their children. Martin and Shirley got married on the Island of St. Lucia in 1988.
Image Source/ Metro
Her Famous Children
Shirlie Kemp and Martin have two children – daughter Harley Moon, and son Roman. Harley Moon, their eldest, is a singer-songwriter and photographer, with many creative projects under her belt. Their younger child, Roman, is very much in the public eye – he’s a Capital 1 DJ and I’m A Celeb star! The family are very close, and often make appearances together. Mother and daughter were even in The Spice Girls video for ‘Mama’!
While Roman was in the I’m a Celeb jungle, mum Shirlie Kemp and the whole family were rooting for him. They often appeared on TV interviews sharing stories about their son, and how proud of him they are.
Image Source/ ITV
What’s Shirlie Been Up To Lately?
The entire Kemp family have been more in the public eye of late, thanks to Roman’s I’m A Celeb journey! Mum Shirlie Kemp and husband Martin released their first ever musical project together last year. The album of duets is called In The Swing Of It. And since then, the family featured in the BBC mockumentary The Kemps: All True. It followed the story of Martin and brother Gary jokingly trying to capitalise on the band’s 40th anniversary. And most recently, Shirlie Kemp can be found on Instagram, where she shares beautiful photography work, family snaps, and is a vocal animal rights advocate.
Image Source/ Metro
