Martin Kemp Joins I’m A Celebrity as Son Roman Makes a Cheeky Jab

Martin Kemp was one of the last stars to board a flight to Australia on Monday ahead of his appearance on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

The Spandau Ballet star, 64, is among the 10 stars who will be moving into the famous jungle this weekend, after the lineup was finally confirmed by ITV following weeks of speculation.

Shona McGarty, Eddie Kadi, Aitch, Alex Scott, Jack Osbourne, Lisa Riley, Kelly Brook, Angry Ginge, Ruby Wax and Martin will be moving into the Austalian jungle when the new series begins on Sunday. 

Martin was in good spirits as he headed to London Heathrow to fly across the world to appear on I’m A Celeb.

And his son Roman was quick to poke fun at his father’s stint on the show, with a cheeky caption while reposting a snap of the lineup on X.

He wrote: ‘Martin Kemp? Absolute nepo-daddy. Only in there cos his sons on The One Show.’

Martin is best known for being part of the band Spandau Ballet in the late 70s, and his son Roman – who he shares with wife Shirlie Holliman – took part in the show in 2019.

Ahead of his jungle stint, Martin said: ‘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 DJing 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.’

Hours earlier, Alex Scott bid an emotional farewell to her partner Jess Glynne as she arrived at Heathrow to fly to Australia.

Comedian Eddie Kadi was also seen boarding his lengthy flight Down Under, while Ruby Wax headed to the airport for her flight on Sunday. 

Manchester-based rapper, Aitch and social media star Angry Ginge were also seen in Brisbane Airport ahead of this year’s I’m A Celebrity.

Aitch, 25, whose real name is Harrison Armstrong, arrived Down Under wearing a full black and white Adidas tracksuit, insisting that he was in Australia on ‘tour’ as the contestants still cannot confirm they are going into the Jungle.

The Rain rapper told the Daily Mail: ‘I was gonna say that I’ll miss the rain in the UK but it’s raining here so nothing’s changed much. 

‘I’ve been to Australia plenty of times, I love it over here. I don’t mind snakes, snake on toast.’

The artist who hails from New Moston in Manchester revealed that he was going to miss his little sister, Gracie, who has Down Syndrome, ‘Even though she’s a little s*** I’m still going to miss her.’ 

And then in a message to his fans, he said: ‘I want to shout them all out and say that I’ll be back home soon and if I’m not then someone needs to have a word.’

Kelly was the first star to touch down in Australia on Sunday ahead of the series, soon followed by Lisa Riley. EastEnders’ star Shona McGarty arrived later that night.

She told the Daily Mail: ‘I’m just here to visit my Auntie Sheila’ as celebrities are not allowed to confirm whether they are appearing on the ITV show yet.

When asked what she would miss most about the UK, she said: ‘My dog Teddy and my husband Jeremy.

‘But I’m looking forward to surfing and seeing my distant cousin I’ve not seen for a long time and the Koalas and Kangaroos of course. I’m not sure about sleeping under the stars, I’m hoping she has a spare room.’ 

Meanwhile Emmerdale star Lisa, who has played Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap for 11 years, was the second contestant to arrive in Australia as she declared: ‘We did “Dingle Down Under” many years ago, so it’s only fair that we do it again.’