Martin Kemp

Martin Kemp is a British actor, musician, and director, best known for his role as Steve Owen in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as well as his membership in the New Romantic band Spandau Ballet, alongside his brother Gary Kemp, Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Steve Norman, and Michael Ellison. He has also appeared in numerous other television shows and films, including The Krays, Assassin, and Sugar Town, often working with notable directors like Peter Medak and Allan Arkush. Kemp's career has been marked by collaborations with various notable figures, such as George Michael, Simon Le Bon, and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran. He has also been involved in several high-profile projects, including the BBC's Last Tango in Halifax and the ITV drama Mr Selfridge, which starred Jeremy Piven and Katherine Kelly.

● Early Life

Martin Kemp was born in Islington, London, to Frank Kemp and Eileen Kemp, and grew up in a family of Working-class background, with his brother Gary Kemp and sister Shirlie Holliman. He attended Rotherfield Primary School and later Dame Alice Owen's School in Islington, where he met his future Spandau Ballet bandmates, including Tony Hadley and John Keeble. Kemp's early life was influenced by the London music scene, with bands like The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Damned frequently performing in the area. He was also inspired by the New Romantic movement, which emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with figures like David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Kraftwerk.

● Career

Kemp's career began in the late 1970s, when he formed Spandau Ballet with his brother Gary Kemp and their friends Tony Hadley, John Keeble, and Steve Norman. The band quickly gained popularity, with hits like "True", To Cut a Long Story Short, and "Gold", and became a key part of the New Romantic movement, alongside other notable bands like Duran Duran, The Human League, and Heaven 17. Kemp has also worked as an actor, appearing in numerous television shows and films, including The Bill, Casualty, and Hustle, often working with notable actors like Ray Winstone, Tom Wilkinson, and Jim Broadbent. He has also directed several episodes of EastEnders and other television shows, including Shameless and Waterloo Road, which starred Jennie McAlpine and Jason Done.

● Music

As a member of Spandau Ballet, Kemp has released several successful albums, including Journeys to Glory, Diamond, and True, which featured hit singles like True, Only When You Leave, and I'll Fly for You. The band's music was influenced by the New Romantic movement, as well as Soul music and Funk music, with artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Earth, Wind & Fire being key inspirations. Kemp has also worked with other notable musicians, including George Michael, Simon Le Bon, and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, and has performed at various high-profile events, such as Live Aid and the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. He has also been involved in several charity projects, including the Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas?, which featured a supergroup of British and Irish musicians, including Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sting.

● Filmography

Kemp's filmography includes a wide range of television shows and films, such as The Krays, Assassin, and Sugar Town, as well as EastEnders, The Bill, and Casualty. He has worked with notable directors like Peter Medak and Allan Arkush, and has appeared alongside actors like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and Emily Blunt. Kemp has also directed several episodes of EastEnders and other television shows, including Shameless and Waterloo Road, which starred Jennie McAlpine and Jason Done. He has also been involved in several high-profile projects, including the BBC's Last Tango in Halifax and the ITV drama Mr Selfridge, which starred Jeremy Piven and Katherine Kelly.

● Personal Life

Kemp has been married to Shirlie Holliman since 1988, and the couple has two children, Harley Moon Kemp and Roman Kemp, who have both followed in their father's footsteps in the entertainment industry. Kemp is a supporter of the Labour Party and has been involved in several charity projects, including the BBC's Children in Need and the Prince's Trust. He has also been a longtime fan of Arsenal F.C. and has appeared at several high-profile football matches, including the FA Cup final and the Champions League final. Kemp has also been involved in several business ventures, including a restaurant in London and a clothing line with his brother Gary Kemp.

● Awards and Nominations

Kemp has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including a British Soap Award for his role in EastEnders and a TV Quick Award for his directing work on Shameless. He has also won several awards, including a Brit Award with Spandau Ballet and a National Television Award for his role in EastEnders. Kemp has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Music Industry Trusts Award and a Special Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He has also been involved in several high-profile charity events, including the Royal Variety Performance and the BBC's Sport Relief.