Martin Kemp (entertainer)
| Martin Kemp | |
|---|---|
Kemp performing in Liverpool, October 2009
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| Born |
Martin John Kemp 10 October 1961 Islington, London, England |
| Education | Central Foundation Boys' School |
| Occupation | Actor, director, musician, television presenter |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Television | EastEnders (1998–2002) |
| Spouse(s) | Shirlie Holliman (m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Gary Kemp (brother) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass guitar, synthesizer |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | Spandau Ballet |
Martin John Kemp (born 10 October 1961) is an English actor, musician and occasional television presenter, best known as the bassist in the new wave band Spandau Ballet and for his portrayal as Steve Owen from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He is the younger brother of Gary Kemp, who is also a member of Spandau Ballet and an actor. Martin Kemp finished third in the summer series of Celebrity Big Brother 2012. In 2017, Kemp is taking on the role as a judge on the new BBC show, Let It Shine.
Martin Kemp was born to parents Frank and Eileen Kemp at their house in Islington, north London, and attended Rotherfield Junior School. At the age of 7 he began to attend the Anna Scher Children's Theatre drama club with his brother Gary, and appeared in many TV shows, including Jackanory, The Tomorrow People and Dixon of Dock Green. In his last year with Anna Scher, he won a role in The Glittering Prizes, appearing alongside Tom Conti and Nigel Havers.
Kemp grew up in north London and attended Central Foundation Boys' School on Cowper Street, Islington. Along with other famous ex-pupils, a large photo of him adorns a wall of fame at the school. After leaving school at 16, he began an apprenticeship in a print factory, but soon became disenchanted.
Kemp's life changed when Steve Dagger, the manager of his brother Gary's band the Gentry, suggested he should replace the band's bass player. Kemp learned to play bass in three months and performed for the first time with the Gentry at a college party. Eventually the band was renamed “Spandau Ballet" and Kemp left his printing job to concentrate on the band full-time.
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