Martin Kemp – Biography, Wife, Net Worth & 2025 Update

Martin Kemp is an English musician, actor and television presenter who first rose to fame as the bassist for Spandau Ballet before building a second career as a soap opera star on EastEnders. Born on 10 October 1961 in Islington, London, he is the younger brother of Gary Kemp, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter. Over four decades, Kemp has moved from 1980s pop stardom to acclaimed acting roles, reality television, radio hosting, and live DJ performances. In 2025, he remains a visible figure in British entertainment, hosting weekend shows on Hits Radio and touring with his Back to the 80s DJ sets.

Few British entertainers have managed the kind of career跨度 that Kemp has achieved. He was a core member of one of the defining bands of the new romantic era, then stepped into the role of gangster Ronnie Kray in the 1990 film The Krays, and later became a household name playing Steve Owen on EastEnders. More recently, he has reinvented himself as a radio host and live DJ, proving that his connection with audiences extends well beyond his 1980s heyday. His personal life, particularly his long marriage to former pop star Shirlie Kemp and his close relationship with their son, radio presenter Roman Kemp, has also kept him in the public eye.

This article draws on verified sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, and Hello Magazine to provide a clear, fact-based portrait of Martin Kemp’s life, career, family, and current activities.

Who is Martin Kemp? A Biography of the Spandau Ballet Star and Actor

Who Are Martin Kemp’s Wife and Children?

Martin Kemp has been married to Shirlie Kemp (born Shirlie Holliman) since 1988. Shirlie is a former pop singer who was a member of the 1980s duo Pepsi & Shirlie, alongside Helen DeMacque. The couple met in the early 1980s and have been together for more than four decades. In October 2020 they published Shirlie and Martin Kemp: It’s a Love Story, a book that mixes autobiography with relationship advice and was presented as a response to growing media interest in their long marriage. They also released their debut album together, In the Swing of It, in November 2019.

The Kemps have two children. Their son, Roman Kemp, born in 1993, is a well-known radio and television presenter, best known for hosting the breakfast show on Capital FM. Roman and Martin co-hosted the ITV breakfast show Martin & Roman’s Sunday Best! starting in 2020, a programme that gave viewers a glimpse into their close father-son relationship. Their daughter, Harley Moon Kemp, born in 1990, is a singer and songwriter.

What Songs Is Martin Kemp Famous For? His Music Career with Spandau Ballet

Martin Kemp co-founded Spandau Ballet in 1979 alongside his brother Gary Kemp and school friends from the London Borough of Islington. The band became one of the defining acts of the new romantic movement, scoring a string of hits throughout the 1980s. Their debut album, Journeys to Glory, was released in 1981, but it was the 1983 album True that catapulted them to global success.

As the band’s bassist, Martin Kemp played on all of Spandau Ballet’s major recordings, including the timeless singles “True,” “Gold,” and “Through the Barricades.” While his brother Gary was the primary songwriter, Martin’s stage presence and musicianship were integral to the band’s live performances and recording identity. The band sold millions of records worldwide before initially disbanding in the early 1990s.

Spandau Ballet reunited in 2009 for a world tour that lasted several years, and the band continued to perform together until around 2019. Since then, the group has been largely inactive, but Kemp has kept his connection to 1980s music alive through his Back to the 80s DJ sets, which tour the UK regularly.

What Was Martin Kemp’s Role in EastEnders and The Krays?

Steve Owen on EastEnders

Martin Kemp joined the cast of EastEnders in 1998, playing the role of Steve Owen, a charismatic but morally ambiguous nightclub owner. The character became one of the soap’s most memorable antagonists, involved in high-profile storylines including gangland feuds, romantic entanglements, and a dramatic exit. Kemp remained with the show until 2002, when the character was killed off in a car crash. His performance earned him widespread recognition and demonstrated his ability to move beyond music into serious acting.

Ronald Kray in The Krays

Before EastEnders, Kemp made his major film debut in the 1990 biographical crime film The Krays, directed by Peter Medak. He played Ronald Kray alongside his real-life brother Gary Kemp, who portrayed Reggie Kray. The film was a critical and commercial success, and the Kemp brothers’ performances were praised for their intensity and authenticity. It remains one of the most defining roles of Martin Kemp’s acting career.

What Is Martin Kemp Doing Now (2025)?

In 2025, Martin Kemp remains professionally active on multiple fronts. He hosts weekend morning shows on Hits Radio, a national commercial radio network, where his music programming reaches listeners across the UK. Alongside his radio work, he continues to tour with his Back to the 80s DJ sets, performing at venues and events that celebrate the music of that decade.

He also published his autobiography, All That Matters, in 2024, which covers his journey from Spandau Ballet to EastEnders and beyond. The book received positive attention for its candid reflections on fame, family, and health. In 2025, Kemp’s television appearances have included I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, keeping him in the public eye and introducing him to new audiences.

What Is Martin Kemp’s Net Worth and How Did He Build It?

Estimates of Martin Kemp’s net worth in 2025 place it in the region of £5–6 million. It is important to note that no verified public disclosure of his finances exists, and this figure is based on estimates reported by various media outlets. His wealth has been built through multiple income streams: royalties and touring income from Spandau Ballet, his acting salary on EastEnders, fees from film roles such as The Krays, his ongoing radio work with Hits Radio, and revenue from his Back to the 80s DJ tours and live appearances.

Kemp’s early decision to diversify his career—moving from music into acting, then into radio and live DJing—has been a key factor in his long-term financial stability. Unlike many of his 1980s contemporaries who relied solely on touring and royalties, Kemp built a presence in television and radio that has provided consistent work for decades.

What Is the Timeline of Martin Kemp’s Career?

1. 1961 Born in Islington, London.
2. 1979 Co-founded Spandau Ballet with brother Gary and school friends.
3. 1981 Spandau Ballet released debut album Journeys to Glory.
4. 1983 Band achieved global success with the album True.
5. 1988 Married Shirlie Holliman.
6. 1990 Portrayed Ronald Kray in The Krays film.
7. 1998 Joined EastEnders as Steve Owen.
8. 2002 Left EastEnders after the character’s death.
9. 2009 Spandau Ballet reunited for a world tour.
10. 2020 Began hosting weekends on Hits Radio.
11. 2024 Released autobiography All That Matters.
12. 2025 Continuing radio show and Back to the 80s DJ tour.

Clarifying Rumors and Common Questions

Martin Kemp’s Enduring Appeal: Analysis

Kemp’s cultural impact lies in his unusual ability to bridge two distinct entertainment worlds. He is one of the few pop musicians who successfully transitioned to serious acting, moving from Spandau Ballet’s 1980s stadium tours to a leading role in one of Britain’s most-watched soaps. His performance in The Krays also demonstrated a capacity for dramatic roles that surpassed expectations for a musician-turned-actor.

His media evolution reflects a keen sense of timing. By moving into radio and live DJing after his acting peak, Kemp maintained visibility and income stability when many of his peers faded from the spotlight. The public’s fascination with the Kemp family, particularly the successful careers of his wife Shirlie and son Roman, has created a multi-generational fan base that sustains his profile.

Financially, Kemp’s strategy of diversifying early—music, film, television, then radio and touring—ensured he was not dependent on any single income stream. His continued activity in 2025, including radio hosting and live performances, suggests that his professional momentum shows no sign of slowing.

Quotes from Martin Kemp

“I’ve had two lives – one as a musician and one as an actor. I’m grateful for both.”

Autobiography All That Matters

“The 80s were incredible, but I’m having just as much fun now. Music doesn’t have an age.”

Hits Radio Interview, 2023

“Family is everything. Shirley and the kids keep me grounded.”

OK! Magazine, 2024

What’s Next for Martin Kemp?

Looking ahead, Martin Kemp shows no signs of stepping back from public life. He continues his weekend show on Hits Radio throughout 2025 and is touring the UK with his Back to the 80s DJ sets. Potential expansion into a television documentary or podcast series has been hinted at in interviews, and further royalty income from the Spandau Ballet catalog continues to provide a foundation. For a performer who has already moved through three distinct career phases—pop star, soap actor, radio and DJ personality—the next chapter remains open. Read more about another iconic British musician in our profile on Shaun Ryder – Biography, Net Worth, Wife and Life in 2025 and Justin Hawkins – Net Worth, Wife, Tour, and Career in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Martin Kemp