Martin Kemp on I'm A Celeb: Interview

I’m A Celebrity…GET ME OUT OF HERE! returns, which means it’s time for a brand new cast of celebrities to battle it out in TV’s toughest entertainment challenge.
 

The celebrities heading into the jungle for the new series are:
Presenter, Author & Comedy Legend - Ruby Wax OBE
Actor & Pop Legend - Martin Kemp
Heart Radio DJ & Model - Kelly Brook
Brit Award-Winning Rapper - Aitch
Sports Broadcaster & Former Lioness - Alex Scott MBE
Content Creator - Angry Ginge
EastEnders Star - Shona McCarty
Comedian - Eddie Kadi
Emmerdale Star - Lisa Riley
TV Personality - Jack Osbourne

Martin Kemp has been discussing the show in a new interview

Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp has revealed his famous son, Roman, is jealous that he is going to be entering the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! jungle as he admits he can’t wait for a new adventure. Smiling, he says Roman has told him to enjoy every second of his time on the hit programme, as he follows in his footsteps. Roman took part in I’m A Celebrity… in 2019 and came third.

Explaining why he was happy to move some of his DJ gigs to take part on the show, Martin says: “I’ve had to cancel some jobs but when Roman was on I’m A Celebrity…, I was addicted. I watched it every day and enjoyed it so much. I felt it was now time in my life for an adventure. I have been on this journey of DJ’ing over the last five years, it has been non-stop and I thought it was time to give something back to myself. I absolutely love the show, it is iconic TV, which I love being part of.”

Going on to reflect on the advice Roman has given him, Martin adds: “He told me to go in and enjoy it all. He said it’s the most fun he has ever had and he said, ‘I am really jealous; I know how much fun you are going to have.’”

The former soap actor, known to millions as EastEnders tough guy, Steve Owen, then laughs as he declares: “I voted for him to do the worst trials! He said to me he was going to get his revenge!

“But he and Harley are excited. Shirlie is more than happy too. She is on the same page as me and she is really excited.”

Happy to cook in camp, the laid-back star hopes he will be a good person to calm things down if tempers get frayed and says he is also more than happy to share stories about his showbusiness life.

“I love doing things that you can come back with anecdotes,” explains the pop star turned DJ. “Phobias? I always thought I don’t have phobias but when I think about it, there are certain things that make me feel sick. I am the spider catcher in our house. Shirlie won’t go anywhere near them and so I am left to do the business. But I will still get a glass or piece of paper to do it. And if anyone says they are ok with heights, they aren’t telling the truth!”

In the past, Martin’s son, Roman, has said he would love to see his dad take part in one of the show’s famous eating trials. “I’m not looking forward to those ones!” confesses the star. “I’m pretty much veggie and even when I eat meat, I have this thing inside me saying, ‘You shouldn’t be doing this’. It will be a real test. But I’m happy to cook in the camp. It will be a case of saying, ‘Stick it in the frying pan!’ I’m alright with rice and beans though. I can have the worst fish and chips, finish it off and still say, ‘That’s nice’.”

Confessing he will miss his family terribly whilst in the camp, Martin says he is, however, looking forward to learning new things about himself. Says Martin: “Even though Roman and Harley don’t live with us anymore, we talk every day. I’m going to miss my family, but hopefully there will be a footballer in there who I can talk football with. And when you do spend time on your own, you do learn things about yourself no matter how old you are. That will be really interesting.”

To be crowned ‘King of the jungle’ would, says Martin, be ‘amazing’.

“What a great thing to have on your CV!” he adds. “I always thought my CV was full up as I have been around the block, but this is something brand new. The time is right to do this show, get myself away from the routine and there is only one reason why I’m looking forward to it and that is, this is going to be such a great adventure.”

BAFTA award-winning hosts Ant and Dec are back to present all the big stories live from camp every night.

This year's series launches 9pm Sunday on ITV1 and ITVX.