Shirlie Kemp Says Son Roman Saved Family as She Addresses ‘scary Time’

Shirlie Kemp Shares Family Story of Near-Miss Disaster

Former Wham! backing vocalist Shirlie Kemp has opened up about how her son Roman’s insistence led the family to avoid a catastrophic natural disaster. In an appearance on Travel Secrets the Podcast, Shirlie described how in 2004, she and her husband Martin, Spandau Ballet’s bassist, were deciding on a family holiday destination.

“We had a scary time that Roman wanted to go to the Bahamas, to the Atlantis Hotel,” Shirlie recalled. “And we did not want to go there. And he’s going, ‘Please can we go, you can go through a slide and go through sharks,’ and he was obsessed.” What started as a small disagreement ended up saving their lives when the Boxing Day tsunami hit Thailand in December 2004.

Decision That Changed Lives

The Kemp family had initially planned to travel to Thailand, but Roman’s desire to experience a water slide at The Bahamas Atlantis Hotel changed their plans. “I wanted to go to Thailand and have a very spiritual journey,” Shirlie explained. However, Roman’s persistence paid off as the Boxing Day tsunami occurred just weeks after they decided on their new holiday destination.

Shirlie expressed her gratitude for listening to her son: “We’ve never been so grateful to listen to your children. I went down the slide, it was horrendous, he’s like, ‘Come on mum, come again.'” The family’s choice to visit the Bahamas instead of Thailand in 2004 has made a significant impact on their lives, as approximately 200,000 people lost their lives across 14 nations during the disaster.

Adventures and Accidents

The couple’s family vacation history is filled with both thrilling experiences and near-misses. In a heart-pounding incident that occurred in Vietnam, Martin recounted an accident where he was severely injured after Shirlie overturned their Mini Cooper while competing in a rally through rice paddies.

“We’re on this big rally within a rally and you have to go through these rice paddies,” Martin said. “Shirlie’s driving and I’m navigating. It’s kind of a time trial and you’ve got to put your foot down, because it’s a race.

We start off and Shirlie puts her toe down, we go into the rice paddy, and the whole car turns onto its head, we’re upside down in the rice paddy.” The accident left Martin trapped inside the vehicle with his hand caught between the roof and the roll bar, resulting in him being hospitalized.

Despite the terrifying experience, Shirlie described her relief at seeing two rice field workers who rescued Martin. “Luckily there’s no water in the rice paddy, but what do I do? Grab onto the roll bar,” she said. “So Shirlie has unbuckled herself and got out. I’m stuck inside this car that has just been filled with petrol, glass has gone, and I’m hanging there trapped, upside down in the middle of nowhere.” After a few weeks, sensation gradually returned to Martin’s hand.

Continuing Adventures

Martin Kemp is currently appearing on ITV One’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, while Roman, The One Show host and Shirlie’s son, is competing in Celebrity Race Across the World with his sister Harleymoon. Their journey so far has been filled with challenges and close calls, but they continue to share their experiences on various platforms.

The Kemp family’s story serves as a reminder of how small decisions can lead to significant outcomes, highlighting the importance of heeding one’s children’s wishes even in mundane matters like holiday planning. Shirlie and Martin’s adventurous spirit continues to captivate audiences with their tales of near-misses and thrilling experiences.

For more updates on the Kemp family’s adventures and the latest from I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, stay tuned to ITV One. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for Roman and Harleymoon as they race across the world in their own exciting journey.