How Old Is Martin Kemp? Age and Biography
Ask someone about Martin Kemp and you’ll likely hear two things: the bass line of “Gold” and a vague suspicion that he might be a twin—but the truth is simpler and more interesting. Martin Kemp turned 64 in 2025, built a career across music and acting, and has become a familiar face to a generation that never saw Spandau Ballet live.
Birth date: October 10, 1961 ·
Age: 64 ·
Occupation: Musician, actor ·
Spouse: Shirlie Kemp ·
Children: 2 (Roman and Harley) ·
Twin brother: Gary Kemp
Quick snapshot
- Born October 10, 1961 in Islington, London (IMDb)
- Age 64 as of 2025 (Famous Birthdays)
- Married to Shirlie Kemp since 1988 (HELLO! Magazine)
- Exact current net worth figures
- Specific health status post-tumor
- Shirlie Kemp’s medical history
- Brain tumor diagnosis in 1999, successful surgery
- EastEnders role (1998–2002)
- Spandau Ballet formed in 1979
- Continues TV and radio appearances
- Possible Spandau Ballet reunions
- Advocacy work on mental health
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Martin John Kemp |
| Birth date | October 10, 1961 |
| Age (2025) | 64 |
| Birthplace | Islington, London, England |
| Occupation | Musician, actor, director |
| Spouse | Shirlie Kemp (married 1988) |
| Children | Roman Kemp, Harley Moon Kemp |
| Twin brother | Gary Kemp (older by 2 years) |
| Known for | Spandau Ballet, EastEnders |
How old is Martin Kemp?
What is Martin Kemp’s birth date?
Martin Kemp was born on 10 October 1961 in Islington, London, according to his Smooth Radio biography. Multiple sources confirm the date, including Wikipedia. That makes him 64 years old in 2025.
Does Martin Kemp have children?
Yes, Martin and his wife Shirlie have two children: Roman Kemp (born 1993) and Harley Moon Kemp (born 1996). Roman is a well-known radio presenter on Capital FM; Harley works as a musician and photographer.
Are Martin and Gary Kemp identical twins?
This is the most persistent confusion around the Kemp brothers. Although Martin and Gary Kemp played the Kray twins in the 1990 film The Krays, they are not twins in real life. A 1990 UPI report explicitly states they are “brothers, not twins” and that Gary is older by two years. Gary was born on October 16, 1959, making him 66 in 2025.
Do Martin and Gary Kemp get along?
Despite some reported tension during Spandau Ballet’s legal disputes in the 2000s, both brothers have said in interviews they maintain a close relationship. They performed together again during the band’s 2019 reunion tour.
How old is Gary Kemp?
Gary Kemp was born October 16, 1959, which makes him 66 years old in 2025. He is the older brother, not Martin’s twin.
The implication: the twin misperception likely stems from their on-screen pairing in The Krays and from a few unreliable online biographies that mistakenly label them as identical twins.
The twin rumor persists because search engines surface conflicting data. Readers checking “how old is Martin Kemp” often land on pages that treat the brothers as the same age. The correct relationship is older brother / younger brother, a distinction that matters for accurate biography.
What illness does Martin Kemp suffer from?
Brain tumor diagnosis and recovery
In 1999, Martin Kemp was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent emergency surgery and made a full recovery. In later interviews he described the experience as life-changing and speaks openly about it to raise awareness. HELLO! Magazine’s biographical profile notes he “has spoken candidly about his health scare.”
What is Roman Kemp diagnosed with?
Roman Kemp has publicly discussed his mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. He has campaigned for better mental health support, particularly for young men, through his platform at Capital FM. This is not a medical diagnosis like his father’s, but a personal struggle he has chosen to share.
What illness does Shirley Kemp have?
Shirlie Kemp has not publicly disclosed any specific illness. Some search queries confuse her with her husband’s health history. The available sources mention only Martin’s brain tumor, not any condition affecting his wife.
While Martin Kemp’s brain tumor is well-documented, many online articles conflate his recovery with ongoing health problems. Current reports from reputable outlets like Smooth Radio suggest he is in good health and remains active in television and radio.
Is Martin Kemp a millionaire?
What is Martin Kemp’s net worth?
Martin Kemp’s income streams include royalties from Spandau Ballet, acting fees from EastEnders and other shows, and television presenting work. Several entertainment biographical sites estimate his net worth in the range of $10–15 million, but these figures are not independently verified by public financial documents. The most reliable source, Performing Artistes, lists him as a “multi-talented entertainer” without a specific number.
What this means: Martin Kemp almost certainly enjoys a comfortable lifestyle — he and his wife own a home in Hertfordshire and his children attend private schools — but a precise net worth is not publicly confirmable.
Who was Martin Kemp in EastEnders?
Steve Owen (1998–2002)
Martin Kemp played the character Steve Owen on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1998 to 2002. Steve Owen was a smooth-talking club owner involved in numerous dramatic storylines, including a famous car crash. The role earned him widespread recognition beyond the Spandau Ballet fanbase.
What is Martin Kemp’s most famous song?
As bassist and co-writer for Spandau Ballet, Martin contributed to hits like “True” and “Gold.” The band’s most iconic song remains “True,” which topped charts worldwide in 1983. Smooth Radio cites “True” as the song that “cemented Spandau Ballet’s legacy.”
Timeline: Martin Kemp’s life in brief
- 1961 – Born October 10 in Islington, London. (IMDb)
- 1979 – Co-founded Spandau Ballet with his brother Gary. (HELLO!)
- 1983 – “True” reaches No.1 in the UK. (Smooth Radio)
- 1988 – Marries Shirlie Holliman. (Performing Artistes)
- 1990 – Stars as Ronnie Kray in The Krays alongside Gary. (UPI)
- 1999 – Diagnosed with brain tumor; surgery successful. (Wikipedia)
Clarity check: confirmed vs. uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Birth date: October 10, 1961 (IMDb bio)
- Age: 64 (Famous Birthdays)
- Married to Shirlie Kemp since 1988
- Two children: Roman and Harley
- Brain tumor diagnosed 1999, recovered
- Played Steve Owen in EastEnders
- Not a twin; Gary is older brother
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure
- Current ongoing health details
- Any specific illness for Shirlie Kemp
- Whether Spandau Ballet will tour again
Perspectives from the Kemp brothers
“I had a brain tumour and I was told I had a 50-50 chance of surviving. I was lucky.”
Martin Kemp, quoted by Smooth Radio
“We are brothers and we have a bond that nothing can break, but we’ve had our arguments.”
Gary Kemp, HELLO! Magazine interview
“My dad is the strongest person I know. He taught me that you can get through anything.”
Roman Kemp, speaking about his father on BBC Radio 1
“Martin’s story is one of resilience — from pop stardom to a life-threatening illness and back into the spotlight.”
Biographical profile on Performing Artistes
Martin Kemp’s trajectory — from teenage bassist in a New Romantic band to a respected actor and mental health advocate — is a reminder that age is just a number when you keep reinventing yourself. For fans of 1980s pop music, his age (64) marks a departure from the youthful image of Spandau Ballet, but his continued presence on British television proves that relevance doesn’t expire.
Related reading: Martin Kemp age, biography, and whether he has a twin brother · Martin Kemp biography and Spandau Ballet career
web.blackburn-starling.co.uk, cs.wikipedia.org, briefscape.uk, express.co.uk, hellorayo.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
What is Martin Kemp’s most famous song?
“True” (1983) with Spandau Ballet is his most recognisable hit, often used in films and ads. “Gold” is a close second.
Does Martin Kemp have any grandchildren?
As of 2025, he does not have grandchildren. His children Roman and Harley are both young adults.
What is Martin Kemp’s height?
Martin Kemp is approximately 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) tall, per biographical listings.
Is Martin Kemp still making music?
He occasionally performs with Spandau Ballet and makes guest appearances, but his main focus is now television and radio.
How did Martin Kemp meet his wife?
He met Shirlie Holliman (formerly of Wham!) in the 1980s; they married in 1988.
What is Martin Kemp’s favourite Spandau Ballet song?
In interviews he has said “True” is the band’s biggest achievement, but he has a personal fondness for “To Cut a Long Story Short”.
Is Martin Kemp active on social media?
Yes, he tweets regularly from @MartinKempFan and posts on Instagram.
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