Martin Kemp is a familiar name to millions of people who grew up with British pop music and television. Best known as the bassist of the legendary band Spandau Ballet, Kemp later built a successful second career as an actor and television personality. His journey is unusual because he managed to move from the world of 1980s music into mainstream acting without losing the public interest he had earned as a musician.
From performing on some of the world’s biggest stages to appearing in popular British television dramas, Kemp has remained a recognisable figure for decades. But there is much more to his story than his time with Spandau Ballet. His family, career changes, personal experiences and work away from music have all helped shape his public image.
This guide explores Martin Kemp career, his role in Spandau Ballet, his acting work, television appearances, family life and why he continues to attract interest today.
Who Is Martin Kemp?
Martin Kemp is an English musician, actor and television personality. He was born on 10 October 1961 in Islington, London, and became famous during the rise of the New Romantic movement in Britain.
Kemp joined Spandau Ballet alongside his brother Gary Kemp, who was the band’s principal songwriter and guitarist. The group became one of the defining acts of the 1980s, producing internationally recognised songs such as “True” and “Gold.”
Although music established his fame, Kemp later demonstrated that his talents were not limited to playing bass. He developed an acting career and became particularly well known to British television audiences for his role as Steve Owen in EastEnders.
His career therefore spans several entertainment industries, making him an interesting example of a celebrity who successfully reinvented himself.
Martin Kemp and Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet played a major role in Martin Kemp’s rise to fame. The band emerged from London’s New Romantic scene and became closely associated with the fashionable music culture of the early 1980s.
Kemp joined the group as its bassist, while his brother Gary became one of its most important creative forces. Their partnership helped make Spandau Ballet one of Britain’s most recognisable bands of the decade.
The band’s breakthrough period produced several major songs and albums. Their polished image, stylish performances and accessible pop sound helped them build a substantial international following.
Some of Spandau Ballet’s best-known songs include:
- True
- Gold
- Only When You Leave
- Lifeline
- Through the Barricades
- Communication
“True” became particularly significant to the band’s legacy. Its distinctive sound helped it remain popular long after the original 1980s music scene had changed.
For Martin Kemp, Spandau Ballet provided more than musical success. It gave him decades of public recognition and created a platform from which he could later develop his acting career.
Martin Kemp’s Acting Career
One of the most interesting parts of Martin Kemp’s career is his transition from musician to actor. Instead of remaining associated only with 1980s pop culture, he established himself as a serious television performer.
His most famous acting role came in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, where he played Steve Owen. The character was introduced as a businessman and nightclub owner and quickly became one of the show’s memorable figures.
Kemp’s performance showed a different side of his personality. His role was considerably darker and more dramatic than the public image many people associated with him as a member of Spandau Ballet.
His EastEnders period helped prove that former musicians could successfully move into acting. The role also introduced him to a new generation of viewers who may not have followed Spandau Ballet closely.
Why Was Steve Owen So Popular?
Steve Owen worked because the character combined confidence, ambition and unpredictability. He was not a simple hero or villain, which made his storylines more compelling.
Kemp brought a controlled and sometimes intimidating presence to the role. This helped separate Steve Owen from the friendly celebrity image audiences may have associated with the actor.
His time on EastEnders remains one of the most frequently discussed chapters of his entertainment career.
Martin Kemp on Television
Away from acting, Kemp has become a familiar face on British television. His television work has included entertainment programmes, documentaries, interviews and reality-based formats.
His personality has helped him remain relevant outside scripted drama. He is often recognised for his relaxed presentation style and his ability to talk openly about his experiences in music and entertainment.
Television has also allowed Kemp to connect with audiences who may know him more for his personality than for his acting or musical work.
His career demonstrates how celebrity longevity often depends on adaptability. Rather than relying entirely on his 1980s success, he continued exploring different forms of entertainment.
Martin Kemp and His Family
Family has always been an important part of Kemp’s public story. His brother Gary Kemp was his bandmate in Spandau Ballet, creating a particularly notable family partnership within British music.
Martin Kemp is also married to singer and actress Shirlie Kemp, who was a member of the pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie. The couple have been together for decades and have two children, including musician and television personality Roman Kemp.
The Kemp family has therefore developed a strong connection with British entertainment across more than one generation.
This family history is one reason people continue to search for information about Martin Kemp. His career is not an isolated celebrity story; it forms part of a wider family connection to British music, television and popular culture.
Martin Kemp’s Career Beyond the 1980s
It is easy to associate Kemp entirely with 1980s pop culture, but his career has continued well beyond that decade.
His move into acting was perhaps the most important change. Instead of attempting to recreate his musical success, he entered a different area of entertainment and built a new reputation.
Later television appearances further strengthened his position as a familiar British celebrity.
This long career also illustrates an important lesson about entertainment: success can come from reinvention. A person who becomes famous in one field does not necessarily have to remain there forever.
Kemp’s journey from bassist to actor and television personality is a strong example of that approach.
What Makes Martin Kemp So Popular?
Several factors help explain Kemp’s lasting popularity.
1. A successful music career
His years with Spandau Ballet gave him a strong connection with British pop culture and an established international audience.
2. A memorable acting role
Steve Owen became one of his most recognisable television characters.
3. Family connections
His marriage to Shirlie Kemp and his relationship with his children have kept his family life in the public conversation.
4. Reinvention
Kemp successfully moved between music, acting, presenting and other television work.
5. Nostalgia
Interest in 1980s music remains strong, introducing Martin Kemp to younger audiences through classic songs, documentaries and nostalgia-focused programmes.
Martin Kemp’s Influence on British Pop Culture
Martin Kemp represents an important period in British entertainment history. Spandau Ballet emerged when fashion, music and youth culture were closely connected. The band’s image became part of the New Romantic movement that helped define early-1980s Britain.
His later acting career added another layer to his cultural influence. By appearing in a major soap opera, Kemp became part of British television history as well.
This combination of music and television makes his career particularly distinctive. Many musicians have appeared on television, but relatively few have developed such a recognisable acting identity after achieving major musical success.
Our Analysis
Martin Kemp’s career is notable because it has never depended on a single period of success. Spandau Ballet established his name, but his acting work gave him a separate identity, while television allowed him to remain visible to changing audiences.
His story also shows the value of reinvention. Moving from a successful music career into dramatic acting could easily have been dismissed as a celebrity experiment. Instead, his performance as Steve Owen became a major part of his public identity.
The strongest aspect of Kemp’s career is therefore its variety. Music, acting, television and family connections have all contributed to his long-lasting presence in British popular culture.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is Martin Kemp famous for?
Martin Kemp is best known as the bassist of Spandau Ballet and for playing Steve Owen in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He has also worked extensively in television.
Q2. Is Martin Kemp related to Gary Kemp?
Yes. Gary Kemp is Martin Kemp’s brother. Both were members of Spandau Ballet, with Gary serving as the band’s guitarist and principal songwriter.
Q3. Who is Martin Kemp married to?
Martin Kemp is married to Shirlie Kemp, the singer and former member of Pepsi & Shirlie. They have been together for many years.
Q4. Does Martin Kemp have children?
Yes. Martin and Shirlie Kemp have two children. Their son Roman Kemp has also developed a career in broadcasting and entertainment.
Q5. Was Martin Kemp in EastEnders?
Yes. Martin Kemp played Steve Owen in EastEnders. The role became one of the best-known acting performances of his career.
Q6. What band was Martin Kemp in?
Martin Kemp was the bassist for Spandau Ballet, one of the most successful British bands associated with the New Romantic era.
Q7. What are Spandau Ballet’s biggest songs?
Some of the band’s best-known songs include “True,” “Gold,” “Only When You Leave,” “Lifeline” and “Through the Barricades.”
Conclusion
Martin Kemp has built a remarkable entertainment career that stretches from the New Romantic music scene of the 1980s to British television and beyond. As a member of Spandau Ballet, he became part of pop history, while his role as Steve Owen demonstrated his ability to succeed in a completely different field.
His family connections, television appearances and continued association with classic British pop culture have helped keep him in the public eye. More importantly, his career shows that reinvention can create opportunities long after an artist’s original breakthrough.
