Key Highlights
- Princess Kate’s secret friendship with Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet revealed by his son Roman.
- Kate visited the Kemp family home for a mental health project and took off her shoes during the visit.
- Martin Kemp has battled brain tumours, resulting in memory loss and other health issues.
- Roman Kemp shares tips with his father on surviving camp life in I’m A Celebrity.
Exclusive Reveal: Martin Kemp’s Secret Friendship with Princess Kate
The star-studded cast of I’m A Celebrity…, has been making headlines, and now a new secret friendship between the show’s Spandau Ballet star, Martin Kemp, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Kate, has come to light. In an exclusive interview with The Sun On Sunday, Roman Kemp, Martin’s son and third-place finisher from the 2019 season of I’m A Celebrity, revealed how his family welcomed the Duchess of Cambridge during a mental health project.
According to Roman, Princess Kate contacted him for a discussion about a mental health initiative he was working on. “A member of the palace team asked me if they could set up a Zoom call to discuss the details,” said Roman. “I was expecting a load of people on the call and couldn’t believe it when it turned out to be just me and her.”
The visit to Martin’s family home, where Kate took off her shoes as she entered, provided an intimate glimpse into their relationship. Roman shared, “She asked whether we could do the filming at my house.
I was like, ‘my parents’ house is much nicer let’s do it there.'” The royals seemed right at ease, with Martin’s mother and wife preparing a special tea and biscuits for the future Queen.
Princess Kate’s visit wasn’t just about the mental health project; she also brought a personal touch. “Later, my parents gave her some of the apple juice which they press in their garden to take home as a little gift,” Roman added with a smile. The queenly gesture didn’t go unnoticed, and several weeks later, Kate sent a thank-you note that her mother kept, thanking them for the juice and mentioning how much Prince George loved it.
“Working with her was amazing. She very kindly wrote me a thank-you note too which I have framed on my wall at home,” Roman said with pride.
Health Battles: Martin Kemp’s Journey
While the family welcomed the royal visit, they also had to face significant challenges. Martin Kemp has been battling brain tumours and other health issues, including epilepsy and memory loss. His son Roman opened up about his father’s struggles during their time in I’m A Celebrity.
Roman revealed that after receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness as a child, his father wrote books for him and his sister to read when they grew up. “They told him he was dying, so he wrote a book for me and Harley to read one day,” Roman said. “He had a couple of operations and treatment, and they warned mum he could come out blind or paralysed.” Despite the daunting health issues, Martin’s marriage to Shirlie strengthened their bond as a family.
Despite the hardships, Martin has remained resilient and entered I’m A Celebrity with a sense of purpose. “It’s extraordinary that, after everything he’s been through, he’s out there in the jungle,” Roman said admiringly. “If anything it’s made him more humble.” However, Martin’s nature is to avoid conflict, which Roman joked could be problematic on the show.
He added, “There’s no diva about him but he’s being too nice in the camp! I think it’s just us voting for him to do the trials! I can’t see my dad getting into rows— he’s too mild mannered—but making him chef is dangerous. He cannot cook.”
Roman has also offered his father tips on enduring life in the jungle, including practical advice like blocking out noise at night by stuffing spare toilet roll into his ears. “You hear everything moving under your bed—rats, insects, all scuttling around,” he said. “It’s not like relaxing rainforest noises; it’s more like a horror movie!”
Surviving the Jungle: Roman Kemp’s Tips for Dad
Roman shared some practical advice his father could use to survive I’m A Celebrity. For starters, blocking out noise at night by stuffing spare toilet roll into his ears can help alleviate the sounds of the jungle. “You hear everything moving under your bed—rats, insects, all scuttling around,” Roman explained. “It’s not like relaxing rainforest noises; it’s more like a horror movie!”
Other survival strategies include staying hydrated and managing the extreme heat. “Martin needs to stay hydrated, especially with the intense heat in the jungle,” Roman advised. “He should also be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions.” Roman emphasized that his father’s health was of utmost importance during their time on the show.
Looking forward, Roman expressed hope for a successful outcome for his dad. “I’m confident my dad will make it through this experience,” he said. “He’s got a strong spirit and I know he’ll handle everything with grace and humility.” With support from both family and friends, Martin’s journey in the jungle promises to be both challenging and inspiring.
The story of Martin Kemp and his secret friendship with Princess Kate adds another layer to the already star-studded cast of I’m A Celebrity…. As viewers tune in, they can expect more surprises and heartwarming moments from this unique journey in the jungle.
