Martin Kemp has revealed a hilariously cringeworthy run-in with Madonna, egged on by his mates in the background.
Chatting to Vernon Kay on BBC’s Tracks Of My Years, the Spandau Ballet star and now actor and TV host shared tales of jet-setting with the band. Vernon, curious about their American escapades, quizzed him on any wild partying stateside.
Martin replied: “Of course. I remember being in Danceteria, the big club in New York in those early 80s and talking to Madonna.
“Madonna was shouting in my ear and all I could see were my mates and the rest of the band looking over going ‘go on, go on, go on, go on’.
“And as I come back they say to me, ‘what did she say, what happened, what did she say to you?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know, couldn’t here a thing.”
Vernon couldn’t contain his laughter as Martin wrapped up the tale, admitting: “The music was so loud, I couldn’t hear a thing.”
While the contents of Madonna’s conversation with Martin remain a mystery, one thing is certain – Martin’s heart has long been taken, having been married to Shirlie Kemp for an impressive 37 years. He’s often spoken of how he was smitten with her from the moment he saw her perform with Wham! on Top Of The Pops back in 1982.
The co-host of Martin and Roman’s Sunday Best, known for his roles in The Krays, EastEnders, and even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, reminisced that he “couldn’t think of anything else” until fate brought him face-to-face with Shirlie just weeks later.
Unaware, Shirlie had already developed a “crush” on him after spotting him in a magazine. It was none other than George Michael who arranged their first meeting.
While chatting with Vernon Kay, he disclosed: “I remember that, on the day we’re getting married, I’m standing on this clifftop that is overlooking the Caribbean and it’s sparkling, and there’s only me there and the lady who’s going to marry us.
“I’m waiting for Shirlie, and Shirlie turns up in this old pickup truck coming up the hill, and she climbs out in this tiny white mini dress, with big high heels on, and she’s hobbling up to the point where we’re going to get married.
“This lady says ‘Martin, do you love Shirlie?’. Okay, yep. ‘Shirlie, do you love Martin?’. Yep, you’re married. It was as quick as that. To this day, Vernon, I doubt very much if we are married.”
Even without a wedding certificate to show for it, Martin “thinks” he’s married to Shirlie. Together they have two kids, a son named Roman and a daughter called Harley.
