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Shirlie and Roman Kemp: ‘The strongest thing in my life is the bond I have with my family’


Shirlie and Roman Kemp

Roman Kemp and mum Shirlie (Image: Harley Moon Kemp)

We’re approaching Mother’s Day and Shirlie and her son, Roman, settle down in a London studio to talk about their amazing relationship, while daughter Harley Moon – a photographer and film-maker – sets up the shoot with her nervous dog, Oscar, tucked under her arm. “Don’t worry, he won’t bite,” assures Shirlie, 57, as she curls her hair in the make-up chair.

“When is Mother’s Day? I would like to change it to a more summery date anyway. We’re often eating lunch in the freezing cold. 

“It’s not a duty for my kids and we don’t need an occasion to be close to each other.”

Roman’s a little flushed as he arrives but is as polite and cheery as ever. 

He’s late, having rushed into town after his Capital FM Breakfast show. 

His own pup, a Chihuahua called Luna, skips ahead to say hello. 

Apologetically, he says he’s had a fight with the iron as he attempts to flatten out his incredibly creased trousers.

“I have OCD with clothes and Mum hates how I organise them. 

“Mum taught me the roll technique but it hasn’t worked on these today,” he confesses.

They’re soon swapped for a dapper suit and Shirlie slips on a few outfits to match.

Shirlie, Roman and Harley Moon Kemp

Shirlie Kemp with daughter Harley Moon, son Roman and their dogs (Image: Harley Moon Kemp)

Congratulations are in order, as Roman has just bought a new house with his girlfriend, Anne-Sophie, a neuroscientist and entrepreneur. 

It’s his second house, he says proudly, and praises his mum for teaching him to save up and spend wisely as a child. 

Shirlie helped with the move, too – “I’m physical,” she quips – and the pair start a friendly spat about Roman’s cleaning habits.

“Mum will tell you that I’m not domesticated, not at all,” grins Roman. 

“She’ll come over to my house and tell me it’s a mess, then ask me what I’m eating.”

It’s a fair query, as presenter Roman slimmed down while in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity last year after eating meagre portions of rice and beans week after week, and enduring some seriously challenging trials in front of the nation. 

Roman lay in a pit with 50 snakes and ate an insect “critter-bocker glory”. 

The star finished in third place and Jacqueline Jossa was crowned queen.

“During the first show I was gripping my hands so tightly that when it ended I couldn’t open them,” reveals Shirlie. 

“I was sweating, I didn’t like it. 

“I wondered how I was going to survive it every night but because I know Ro I could tell he was doing all right.”

Roman Kemp and girlfriend Anne-Sophie Flury

Roman and girlfriend Anne-Sophie Flury (Image: Getty)

Shirlie and Martin tuned in every night to watch their son down under. 

It was a blessing for Shirlie, knowing he was safe and well, and, according to Roman, it’s Mum’s turn next to sleep under the stars.

“She’s doing I’m A Celeb. That’s an exclusive, you can have that,” he jokes, as Shirlie waves her hands in protest.

The singer’s closest brush with reality TV was driving from Thailand to Vietnam with Martin on rally show The Road To Saigon. 

The car crashed, pinning Martin underneath, but the pair came home in one piece.

While Martin is pop royalty, a member of the band Spandau Ballet since the late 1970s, Shirlie was firm friends with George Michael and a backing singer in his band, Wham!. 

She also enjoyed a solo career with her sidekick Pepsi and hit the charts in the 80s with Heartache and Goodbye Stranger. 

Shirlie and George were so close that George became Roman’s godfather and during his time in the jungle Roman opened up about their relationship and the tragedy his tightknit family have been through.

Shirlie and pop partner Pepsi (Helen DeMacque) during their 1980s days in Wham!

Shirlie and pop partner Pepsi (Helen DeMacque) during their 1980s days in Wham! (Image: Getty Images)

“I want exactly what my mum and dad have. 

“It’s a relationship which has been through more than people know. 

“My dad nearly died, twice, and Mum had to hold everything together,” says Roman, who was a toddler when Martin was diagnosed with two benign brain tumours. 

He had surgery to remove them, which affected his memory. 

When Roman was older, he helped his dad relearn the famous Spandau songs. 

“The strongest thing in my life is the bond I have with my family. 

“I don’t want kids right now but if I can achieve half of the things Mum and Dad did by my age, then I’ll be happy.”

Roman was a good kid, says Shirlie, who admits she was a bit too protective of her little boy. 

She would help Roman do his homework and wrote strongly worded letters to the strict school to give him an easy ride.

“I did everything to let Roman have a happy life. 

“He was sensitive to food as a child so I wrote a note to the dinner ladies. 

‘Dear Dinner Lady, Roman does not need to eat this food as he will be sick,’” Shirlie reads from an invisible letter in her hands.

“Mum has a more parental vibe than Dad, though,” adds Roman. 

“She’s my best friend but she’s still my mum. If I wanted a day off school I’d go to her. 

“I’m definitely more like Mum. I don’t retreat if things go wrong. 

“We talk too much, and that’s a problem.”

Shirlie, Martin and the kids back in 2002

Shirlie, Martin and the kids back in 2002 (Image: Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock)

There’s not much that embarrasses the rising star, who turned 27 this year and posted his transformation from floppy-haired teen to handsome man on his social media. 

He began his career on YouTube, talking all things football and pranking his poor mum and dad, before heading up the Capital FM Evening Show. 

He’s been the Breakfast show presenter since 2017 and interviews huge celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Harry Styles and Bond-theme singer Billie Eilish.

Martin Kemp and Roman

Martin Kemp and Roman attend a showbiz event (Image: Dave Benett/Getty)

He insists his career comes from his own hard work, but it was Shirlie who put him on the path to success.

“I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it wasn’t for Mum,” he reveals. 

“I was in my teens and my music career crumbled. 

“I cried and told her I didn’t know what to do with my life. 

“I left school at 16. All I had were two famous parents and I didn’t want to jump on their backs.”

He adds, “Dad’s overly emotional, so he told me it’d all be fine then went and cried about it in another room. 

“Me and Mum had a big chat. She asked me what I loved, which was football, and told me to find a way in, any way I could. 

“I started filming myself on YouTube then became a cameraman for other people. 

“Suddenly, I was a presenter and, five years later, I’m hosting a radio show. 

“That conversation with my mum was massive.”

Shirlie says, “Roman was animated as a child, really funny. He did so many shows for us, just like I did when I was little. 

“I expect a lot from him because I think he’s capable of it. I’ve seen the energy he creates. 

“I’ve been proud of him since he was a tiny baby.”

Roman and mum Shirlie

Roman and mum Shirlie (Image: Harley Moon Kemp)

There aren’t many bad habits in this family – “Ro has been raised too well,” Shirlie beams – but she is forever waiting for her son, who is famous for being late to his own birthday parties.

“He says he’s just leaving, but he doesn’t say where he’s leaving,” says Shirlie, rolling her eyes. 

“Once we had a family dinner. We were early, of course, and Ro arrived two hours late.”

The only gripe Roman has about his lovely mum is her wild worrying and, as a youngster, her early and incredibly embarrassingly arrival at house parties.

“When I went to parties I’d ask Mum to pick me up at say 10pm. Come 9.20pm, I’d get a text saying, ‘We’re outside.’ Mum, Dad and the dogs would be sat there in the car.”

“We should’ve fit the grandparents in as well,” cackles Shirlie. 

“I came from a big family so my mum didn’t have time to take me home. 

“We were always there an hour early, just in case he wasn’t enjoying it!”

Roman has never been embarrassed by his parents’ fame, their music or their eccentric outfits from the 1980s. 

He couldn’t be prouder and he’s found the same love they share with his girlfriend. 

The pair have been together for two years and plan to travel the world before they settle down and start a family.

Shirlie always wanted to become a mum and, after two kids of her own, she’s ready for grandma duties.

“Well, I’d like a special name which I haven’t thought of yet. Not grandma,” she insists. 

“Men aren’t in a rush like girls are. They don’t have a clock ticking.”

Roman Kemp and Anne-Sophie Flury

Roman Kemp and Anne-Sophie Flury attends The Global Awards 2020 (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Bubbly singer Shirlie will make her acting debut on a mockumentary called The Kemps: All True in the spring, and after the incredible success of her album with Martin, In The Swing Of It, she’s open to getting back on stage again. 

Meanwhile, Roman and Martin are to co-host a Sunday show on ITV from next month. 

Both Roman and Harley urged their parents to sing together and Roman did the deal, selling their talent to the head of Sony at the BRIT Awards last year.

“No offence Mum, but when you die I have that album as a memory of you and that’s pretty cool,” grins Roman. 

“It was supposed to be Dad’s album then Mum featured on a track. 

“Hands down, I couldn’t believe it was her.

“Mum and Dad are my heroes,” he adds. 

“People ask my missus what is the best thing about being with me, and she always says my family.”

Shirlie and Martin Kemp’s album, In The Swing of It, is out now. Listen to Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp, weekdays from 6am till 10am. Spoof documentary The Kemps: All True is out in spring.



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