In a recent episode of their podcast F*! My Dad Is Martin Kemp*, the father-son duo, Martin and Roman Kemp, delved into a profound topic: death. Known for their appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox, the pair shifted gears to discuss Martin’s experiences and perspective following a brain tumour diagnosis in the early 1990s.
During the candid segment, Martin, the Spandau Ballet star, revealed his thoughts on his remaining lifespan when asked by his son, Roman. “10 years, I don’t know!” was his frank response.
Reflecting on the tumultuous period surrounding his health scare, Martin shared, “I spent two years of my life thinking I was going to die.” Recalling the uncertainty and fear of his diagnosis, he confessed to resigning himself to the possibility of his mortality at the age of 34.
Martin’s outlook on life shifted amidst his battle with the brain tumour. He found solace in the remarkable experiences he had lived through, particularly his time in the iconic 80s rock band era. “Every day, every year, every month that I’ve lived has been a bonus,” he expressed, highlighting his gratitude for life’s precious moments.
Following his diagnosis, Martin underwent rigorous treatment, including radiotherapy and surgery. Despite a successful operation, he continues to grapple with epilepsy, a side-effect stemming from the procedure, for which he now takes medication.
The revelation of his health struggles coincided with a pivotal career move: joining the cast of EastEnders as Steve Owen. Despite reservations from those around him, Martin saw the opportunity as a chance to reclaim his life. “Everybody around me was saying, ‘Don’t do it, don’t do it. It’s going to ruin your career, don’t do it’,” he recalled.
For Martin, EastEnders became a means of overcoming adversity and rebuilding his life, even as he navigated lingering cognitive challenges from his surgery. “When EastEnders was offered to me it was a chance for me to get over it,” he explained. “It was me trying to get my life back together.”
The podcast episode offers a poignant glimpse into Martin Kemp’s journey of resilience, gratitude, and the pursuit of life’s silver linings. Listeners can catch up on all episodes of F*! My Dad Is Martin Kemp* and other podcasts on various platforms including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
