Kemp

The household name should prove a hit with ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here viewers after his many decades in the public eye and hugely successful career

A huge TV and pop icon from the ’80s is in ‘advanced talks’ to appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Martin Kemp is poised to become the first star to join I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here as the second member of a family to have the jungle experience. The Spandau Ballet star is in “advanced talks” to join the hit ITV show when it launches next month.

And he’ll be following in the footsteps of his radio presenter son, Roman, who took part back in 2019. One insider said: “Martin is a household name having been top of the hit parade with Spandau Ballet in the 80s and then in EastEnders in the early 2000s – he’s a great signing and everyone is very excited at the prospect of getting him Down Under.”

One person who’ll be particularly thrilled is Roman himself, 32, who told the Mirror a couple of years ago that he’d be “very up” for his famous dad to take part.

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When Roman did it, he lasted the full 22 days and finished in third place, behind Corrie star Andy Whyment and winner Jacqueline Jossa.

But along the way he tackled some pretty tricky Bushtucker Trials – for which he held his dad partially responsible after he urged the public to nominate his son.

“Listen, I would do anything to see my dad eat llama anus,” Roman told the Mirror in 2022. “I’ll tell you why, because when I got nominated the first time it was the eating trial,” he recalled. “When you’re in there, you get so paranoid about why people are voting for you, because you’re like ‘am I coming across as a d*** and people want to see me suffer’?

“When I got out I was looking through some of the headlines, and it turns out the only reason I got voted to do that trial at the beginning was because my dad tweeted: ‘Let’s get my son to eat kangaroo anus’. So, my God, I’m very up for him going in.”

Once Martin arrives in the jungle, there will be a Kemp TV takeover in Britain with him on ITV alongside hosts Ant and Dec and his kids Roman and elder sister Harley Moon competing on BBC1’s Race Across the World from next week.

And Martin, who is a regular on Celebrity Gogglebox with Roman, will also be following his old bandmate Tony Hadley, who competed on the show in 2015, finishing in sixth place.

The singer of hits including True, Gold and To Cut a Long Story Short, afterwards described his jungle experience as “one of the best things I’ve ever done” despite his endless conflict with fellow contestant Lady Colin Campbell, who took an instant dislike to him.

Martin, 64, married to former Wham backing singer Shirley Holliman, is unlikely to ask Hadley for tips, after the rest of the Spandau members fell out with the lead singer when he quit the band in 2017.

Hadley told the Mirror earlier this year that he and Martin’s brother Gary – the band’s songwriter – were unlikely to work together again. “I haven’t spoken to him in 10 years. I don’t have anything to do with the Spandau thing at all,” he said.

This came after Gary claimed, in 2021, that he and Tony had never been mates “even at school”. But Martin has always remained hopeful about the possibility of a reunion, saying a few years ago: “It’s something I would love to do and I know Gary would love to do it. It’s very difficult to get five adults to say ‘yes’ at the same time. Tony at the moment doesn’t want to do it and I understand his reasons for wanting to be a solo singer.”

I’m a Celebrity is expected to start on ITV on November 16 with other camp-mates likely to include Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley and ex- EastEnder Shona McGarty plus radio host Nick Ferrari, comedian Ruby Wax, model Kelly Brook and presenter Vogue Williams.

A show spokesman said the official announcement would come soon, adding: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity are speculation.”

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MARTIN Kemp has given his followers an update on his health after his horror chainsaw accident, as he reveals whether his gigs will be still taking place.

The iconic singer, 65, worried fans when his radio star son Roman Kemp revealed his famous father had been rushed to hospital.

Giving fans an update on how he was doing following the accident. which saw him injure his fingers, Martin said: “Addressing Hey guys, just a little message.

“You might have seen in the paper that I had a terrible accident with a chainsaw, which I did, but it was last week.

“I’m a lot better now.”

Reassuring fans he wasn’t cancelling any gigs, Martin said: “And just to let you know, if you were worried and you are going to Lincoln Cathedral tonight for the DJ gig, right, it is still on.

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“Yeah, but I appreciate your concerns and listen, it’s getting better by the minute, but I will explain how it happened another time, but just to reassure you, I am alright.

“Alright, lots of love. Bye.”

Yesterday, his son Roman shared the news about his dad’s hospital dash.

He explained on the You About podcast with Tom Grennan that his dad had had an accident with a chainsaw. 

The star said it was lucky that his dad wasn’t “fingerless” after the incident, which saw Martin pick the chainsaw up by the blade, to cut down a piece of wood.

The chat began with music star Tom saying to Roman: “What the hell has happened to your dad’s fingers?”

“Oh God,” Roman said, and then added: “It’s scary. Friday night I’d just finished work and looked at my phone, and dad sent a picture of his hand with all fingers heavily strapped up.

“And all he writes underneath in the family WhatsApp group is ‘yep… chainsaw.’”

Roman continued: “I was texting him saying ‘what?!’ but got no reply, and then Harley my sister is like ‘what’s happened?’ but again, no reply.

“So he said ‘Oh there was a bit of the branch that we wanted chopping down so I went and got a chainsaw.”

Roman said his first issue with what had happened was that his dad was handling a chainsaw in the first place.

“He’s 65. He’s got more than enough dough. Get a professional in, you can’t be doing that,” Roman said.

He then added: “My dad said ‘Oh yeah I picked it up by the blade.”

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Tom then joked that Roman’s mum wouldn’t be very happy if his dad lost his fingers, leaving Roman visibly shocked.

Roman then quipped: “Yeah because he wouldn’t be able to play guitar, exactly.”

The One Show hosts Roman Kemp and Clara Amfo spoke to England Lioness Lucy Bronze and Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts on Thursday’s show.

BBC The One Show hosts Roman Kemp and Clara Amfo welcomed two special guests onto Thursday evening’s programme (August 28).

The show, which recently featured JB Gill chatting with two EastEnders stars about an upcoming on-screen reunion, saw the BBC presenters invite England Lioness Lucy Bronze and Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts onto the famous green sofa.

But before the interviews got underway, Roman didn’t hesitate to pose a unique question to Lucy from a viewer – something he revealed had never happened before.

He explained: “I’ve got to say, we’ve been inundated with questions, I actually- this is probably a first. I’ve never been asked this question to a guest straight from a viewer.

“Gillian has gone straight in. How is your leg? I don’t think that’s ever been asked on here before! But how is it?”

Chuckling, the football star quipped that there was a first time for everything, reports Wales Online.

She responded: “Yeah, it’s doing better. Obviously, playing with it wasn’t going to help it, it wasn’t going to heal it. So, time is a healer isn’t it? I’m giving myself a few weeks to get better.”

Roman explained her injury to audiences – a fractured tibia – which he admitted sounded like ‘hell on earth’.

He questioned the England star about how severe the pain was during matches and how she managed to persuade boss Sarina Wiegman to let her continue playing.

Lucy revealed there was no convincing needed as she was determined to feature in the match.

She said: “It was like, ‘Ok, we need to look after you Lucy, we ned to make sure that you’re doing the right things’.

“I was like, I will, I know what I’m doing. So it was a lot of pain to manage and things like that but, our medical team are fantastic.

“Serena was really good, yeah I’ve had pain in my body for a number of years because of other injuries so what’s one more thing? Just get on with it.”

During their conversation, Lucy was stunned by a video message from teammate Chloe Kelly, who commended her for battling through her injury.

The One Show is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The One Show host Alex Jones was left red-faced during Tuesday’s episode as she suffered an awkward blunder

The One Show’s Alex Jones was left red-faced after a hilarious on-air gaffe required her co-star to jump in.

In the episode aired on Tuesday (June 24), the Welsh presenter was joined by Roman Kemp as they chatted with a host of celebrities on the BBC One show.

The pair welcomed Lena Dunham, who discussed her latest Netflix romantic comedy ‘Too Much’, with co-stars Megan Stalter and The White Lotus actor Will Sharpe lounging on the famous green sofa.

Football legend Ian Wright also featured, sharing his journey back to his roots to kick off a girls’ football team, alongside head coach Paul Palmer.

But it was a particular moment that caused Alex to blush. With Wimbledon fever gripping the nation, they tuned into a pre-recorded segment with Chris Bavin at a strawberry farm, highlighting the soaring demand for strawberries during the tournament, with a staggering 200 million expected to be consumed, reports Wales Online.

Returning to the studio post-clip, Alex seemed momentarily unprepared to proceed, casually asking Roman: “Do you put sugar on your strawberries?”

Roman hesitated, prompting Alex to interject: “I was thinking that watching and thought I bet you do” to which Roman confessed: “You know I put sugar on everything. It’s just the way it is.”

Caught up in their banter, Alex turned to Roman and urged him to take over, saying: “Right carry on.” Realising her error, she glanced at the camera and said: “Oh it’s me.”

The studio erupted in giggles as Roman queried: “Do you want me to go?” and a red-faced giggling Alex responded: “Yeah go on.”

It comes as another blunder earlier this week saw Alex come to the rescue after EastEnders legend Michelle Collins made a mistake.

In the episode aired on June 24th, the Albert Square favourite discussed her upcoming hiatus from the beloved BBC soap to embark on a new challenge.

This August, the seasoned actress is set to captivate audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with her solo act in the darkly humorous Motorhome Marilyn, penned by Ben Weatherill.

Fellow guest Sean Hayes, curious about her performance schedule, enquired: “So when does it start?” eliciting an uncertain reply from Michelle, “Umm 29th of July?”.

An awkward pause later, Alex had to intervene correcting Michelle, with an animated look towards the lens, “No. It’s the 30th.”

Laughter filled the air as Michelle quickly amended: “The 30th, thank you Alex. Don’t come on the 29th.”

The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer

Shawn Kemp’s name has long been synonymous with prodigious talent, a ton of trouble and wasted opportunity.

Now he’ll likely also be known for a jail sentence.

Kemp, 55, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault Tuesday for shooting at two men inside a vehicle in a Tacoma, Wash., mall parking lot. The plea was part of an agreement in Pierce County Superior Court in which prosecutors will recommend nine months of confinement in the county jail when Kemp is sentenced in August.

Kemp was initially charged with one count of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement after the March 2003 shooting, and prosecutors last week added another count of assault as well as a drive-by shooting charge. No one was hurt, but the Toyota 4Runner the men were inside and another vehicle were damaged.

Kemp contended in a court filing that he fired in self-defense after one of the men shot at him. The 4Runner drove off before Tacoma police arrived, and and an empty holster was found inside the vehicle when it was discovered abandoned days later.

“Shawn is committed to moving forward in a positive direction,” Kemp’s attorney Tim Leary told the Seattle Times. “He was presented with an offer from the state that allows him to take responsibility, but I think also recognizes the self-defense nature of how this transpired.”

Seattle SuperSonics’ Shawn Kemp going in for a dunk against the Houston Rockets during their NBA playoff game May 5, 1997, in Houston.

(Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

Kemp famously battled cocaine addiction and fathered at least seven children with six different women during a 15-year NBA career that began when he was 19 years old in 1989.

Kemp was arrested in 2006 for drug possession in Washington after he was found with cocaine, marijuana, and a pistol.

Growth has been halting, however, even for someone who sprouted 13 inches between the ninth and 11th grades, topping out at 6-foot-10. His weight ballooned during his career from 230 pounds to more than 300, yet he remained capable of dominating on the court.

That was long ago, though. And on Tuesday in court, his attorney explained that Kemp’s truck was broken into on March 8, 2023, when he and other employees who worked at his marijuana dispensary, Kemp’s Cannabis, were attending a concert in Seattle.

According to court documents, Kemp’s cellphone and game-worn Kemp and Gary Payton jerseys were among the items stolen. Kemp used a phone tracking app to look for the thieves, and confronted the driver of the 4Runner in a Tacoma mall parking lot.

A man in the back seat shot at Kemp with a handgun, according to the filing, and Kemp returned fire. The 4Runner fled, and when the vehicle was found abandoned days later, an empty holster was found inside but there was no gun, documents said.

As part of his plea, Kemp cannot possess a firearm. In addition to the proposed nine-month sentence, Kemp will spend one year in community custody and pay restitution.

“His plan is to tell the community about the dangers of gun violence, really to be a positive influence on youth,” Aaron Kiviat, another of Kemp’s attorneys, told the Seattle Times.

In a statement outlining the plea agreement, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Howe said that the case should be resolved ahead of trial because the two alleged victims were illegally in possession of Kemp’s belongings.

Both alleged victims are currently serving prison sentences in other cases. One is serving a seven-year sentence, in part for a July 2023 shooting in which he mistook the victim for Kemp. The same man recently filed a civil suit against Kemp stemming from the mall shooting.

Nicknamed the “Reign Man,” Kemp made $91,572,963 during his 15-year NBA career that ended in 2004. He was a six-time All-Star and helped the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA finals in 1996 when he averaged a career-high 21.2 points a game. Kemp also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.

Kemp reflected on the ups and downs of his career on the All the Smoke podcast with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, saying, “Going through some problems and stuff that I went through in my career also hurts you at the end. But I think when you look at the good side of it, and you compare the numbers and stuff, I’m right there with some of the best ones.”