How Old Is Martin Kemp – Age, Wife, EastEnders & Career

Martin Kemp has been a fixture of British popular culture for more than four decades, first as a founding member of the new romantic band Spandau Ballet and later as one of the most memorable villains on British television. His age and biography remain a frequent search query, often driven by curiosity about his family, his net worth, or simply the passage of time since the 1980s. This article brings together all the verified facts about his date of birth, his career timeline, and his personal life in one place.

Kemp was born on 10 October 1961 in Islington, London, making him 64 years old as of 2025. He occupies a rare position in entertainment, having achieved major success in both the music industry and the acting world. Understanding his age and background requires looking at the full arc of his work, from the early days of Spandau Ballet to his long-running role on EastEnders.

How Old Is Martin Kemp?

A deeper look at the search data and available biographical material reveals a few patterns about public interest in Martin Kemp.

• Searches for his age are frequently paired with queries about his wife Shirlie and his brother Gary, indicating strong interest in family comparisons.
• The EastEnders role — Steve Owen — remains a major driver of his public identity, even years after leaving the show.
• Many people searching for his age seem to remember him primarily from television rather than his music career.
• Few authoritative sources consolidate his age, family details, and career timeline into a single, easily accessible place.
• He continues to attract attention through the career of his son, Roman Kemp, and occasional reality television appearances.

Who Did Martin Kemp Play in EastEnders?

Martin Kemp joined the BBC soap opera EastEnders in December 1998, taking on the role of Steve Owen. The character was written as a villain, and Kemp’s performance quickly became a defining element of the show during that era. Steve Owen was a nightclub owner with a ruthless streak, involved in storylines that included organized crime, deception, and violent conflict.

His time on the show earned him several major awards, including TV Quick Awards, a National Television Award, and multiple British Soap Awards. The role cemented his status as a household name and introduced him to a new generation of viewers who may not have known his earlier music career.

Kemp left the series in 2002 when his character was killed off. The exit was a major plot moment, and the role remains one of the most frequently referenced parts of his career. To this day, questions about how long he was in EastEnders and who he played are among the most common searches related to his name.

Who Is Martin Kemp Married To?

Martin Kemp married Shirlie Holliman in 1988. Shirlie Kemp, as she is now known, was a backing singer for Wham! and later became one half of the duo Pepsi & Shirlie. The couple have been together for decades, a notable span in an industry where long-term marriages are not always the norm.

The couple has two children: a daughter, Harley Moon, and a son, Roman. In 2020, Martin and Shirlie published a joint book titled Shirlie and Martin Kemp: It’s a Love Story, which combines autobiography with relationship advice. In 2023, they appeared together on The Masked Singer as the duo Cat & Mouse.

How Old Is Gary Kemp?

Gary Kemp is Martin’s older brother and a fellow member of Spandau Ballet. The age difference between the brothers is just over a year. Gary was born in 1959, making him 65 or 66 depending on the exact date and the year of the query. Sources generally place Gary’s age at around 65 as of 2025. The two brothers have often been compared in searches, leading to persistent questions about their respective ages and careers. For a deeper comparison, read our dedicated article on Gary Kemp age and biography.

What Are Martin Kemp’s Most Famous Songs?

Martin Kemp was the bassist for Spandau Ballet, one of the defining bands of the 1980s new romantic movement. He co-founded the band in 1979 with his brother Gary Kemp, who served as the primary songwriter. The band achieved massive international success, particularly with their 1983 album True.

While Martin did not write the majority of the songs — that role fell to Gary — his bass playing was integral to the band’s sound. The band’s discography includes several major hits that remain staples of 1980s playlists.

• “True” (1983) — Their most iconic track, reaching number one in the UK and top five in the US.
• “Gold” (1983) — A major hit that has been used extensively in film and advertising.
• “Through the Barricades” (1986) — A powerful ballad that showcased a more mature sound.
• “To Cut a Long Story Short” (1980) — Their debut single and an early new romantic anthem.

The band went on hiatus in 1990 but reformed for reunion tours in 2009 and again in subsequent years. The music remains a central part of Martin Kemp’s legacy, even as his acting work has brought him a different kind of fame. For a complete overview of the band’s work, see our article on Spandau Ballet history and discography.

What Was Martin Kemp Like as a Young Musician?

Martin Kemp grew up in Islington, London, and was drawn to music from an early age. He and his brother Gary formed the band that would become Spandau Ballet while still in their teens. The band was part of the emerging new romantic scene, centered around London clubs like the Blitz. Kemp was known at the time for his distinctive style, which matched the flamboyant aesthetic of the early 1980s.

Where Was Martin Kemp Born and Raised?

Martin John Kemp was born on 10 October 1961 at the Whittington Hospital in Islington, London, a borough with a strong working-class identity. He grew up in the area and attended the Anna Scher Theatre School, which helped develop his early interest in performance. His early life in London shaped both his musical influences and his acting opportunities. IMDb and Famous Birthdays both list his birthplace and date consistently across their databases.

Timeline of Martin Kemp’s Life and Career

1. 1961: Born on October 10 in Islington, London.
2. 1979: Co-founded Spandau Ballet with his brother Gary Kemp and other musicians.
3. 1983: Spandau Ballet releases True, becoming an international hit.
4. 1988: Marries Shirlie Holliman, formerly of Pepsi & Shirlie.
5. 1990: Spandau Ballet goes on hiatus after a decade of success.
6. 1998: Joins the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Steve Owen, following a guest role on The Bill.
7. 2002: Leaves EastEnders when his character is killed off.
8. 2009: Spandau Ballet reforms for a reunion tour and new recordings.
9. 2016: Hosts the factual series Martin Kemp’s Murder Files.
10. 2025: Celebrates his 64th birthday; continues occasional media appearances and podcast work with his son Roman.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Martin Kemp?

While a great deal of information about Martin Kemp is publicly verified, some details remain less certain. The table below distinguishes between what is established and what is not.

Why Does Martin Kemp’s Age Generate So Much Interest?

The persistent public interest in Martin Kemp’s age can be attributed to his dual career and the generational span of his audience. Older fans remember him as the bassist of Spandau Ballet during the 1980s, a period of massive pop culture influence. Younger audiences know him either as the father of radio presenter Roman Kemp, or from his appearances on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother (where he finished third in 2012) and The Masked Singer.

This cross-generational visibility means that different people search for his age for different reasons. Some are checking how much time has passed since Spandau Ballet’s heyday, while others are comparing him to his son or brother. His age query often functions as a gateway to a broader biographical interest. An overview of his life is available on EastEnders Fandom.

Where Does the Information About Martin Kemp Come From?

The most reliable information about Martin Kemp’s age and career comes from a mix of primary and secondary sources. The Wikipedia entry for Martin Kemp provides a thoroughly cited biography covering his birth details, music career, and acting work. It notes that his full name is Martin John Kemp, and it offers dates for all major career milestones.

“Martin John Kemp (born 10 October 1961) is an English musician and actor.”

— Wikipedia entry for Martin Kemp

“Martin Kemp was born on October 10, 1961. He celebrated his 64th birthday in 2025.”

— Smooth Radio facts article (November 2025)

Secondary sources such as Smooth Radio and IMDb corroborate these details, though they sometimes lack the citation depth of the Wikipedia entry. The BBC’s EastEnders archive provides official confirmation of his involvement in the series, though specific episode counts are spread across different records.

Main Facts About Martin Kemp

Martin Kemp is a 64-year-old English musician and actor, born on 10 October 1961 in Islington, London. He is best known as the bassist for Spandau Ballet and for playing Steve Owen in EastEnders from 1998 to 2002. He has been married to Shirlie Kemp since 1988, and the couple has two children, including television presenter Roman Kemp. While his net worth is frequently estimated, no officially confirmed figure exists. His career spans more than four decades, and he remains active through media appearances and his podcast. For more on his family, see our article on Gary Kemp age and biography.

Frequently Asked Questions About Martin Kemp