Latest news with #Wham!
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Martin Kemp says 'it was as quick as that' as he opens up on marriage 'doubt'
Martin Kemp says 'it was as quick as that' as he opens up on marriage 'doubt' Martin Kemp has opened up on his relationship with wife Shirlie Holliman, admitting that he doubts the couple are actually married despite tying the knot in St Lucia in 1988 Martin Kemp and Shirlie Kemp (Image: Jeff Spicer, Jeff Spicer/WireImagevia Getty Images ) Martin Kemp has revealed that he's not entirely sure if he and his wife Shirlie are officially married, despite having a ceremony in St Lucia over 35 years ago. The Spandau Ballet star reminisced about falling for Shirlie "through the television" as she performed with Wham! on Top Of The Pops back in 1982. Speaking to the Mirror, Martin recounted how he was completely smitten with Shirlie after her performance, finding himself in a "bubble" where he could "couldn't think of anything else" until they finally met a few weeks later. Shirlie, on the other hand, had developed a "crush" on Martin after seeing him in a magazine, which led to their mutual friend George Michael orchestrating their first meeting, reports Devon Live. Despite feeling too daunted to ring Martin herself, Shirlie got a helping hand from George Michael, who made the call and handed her the phone. Shirlie Holliman and Martin Kemp (Image: Jeff Spicer, Getty Images ) Article continues below The pair, both aged 63, have been inseparable since they started dating and held their wedding in St Lucia in 1988. However, during an appearance on Tracks Of My Years with Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2, Martin expressed doubts about the legality of their nuptials. He shared a vivid memory from their wedding day: "I remember that, on the day we're getting married, I'm standing on this clifftop that is overlooking the Caribbean and it's sparkling, and there's only me there and the lady who's going to marry us." Continuing the story, he described Shirlie's arrival: "I'm waiting for Shirlie, and Shirlie turns up in this old pickup truck coming up the hill, and she climbs out in this tiny white mini dress, with big high heels on, and she's hobbling up to the point where we're going to get married. "This lady says 'Martin, do you love Shirlie?'. Okay, yep. 'Shirlie, do you love Martin?'. Yep, you're married. It was as quick as that. To this day, Vernon, I doubt very much if we are married." Martin said that he doesn't believe the couple were ever given a wedding certificate, but stressed that he "thinks we're married, so it's all good". Martin, Harley Moon, Shirlie and Roman Kemp (Image: (Image: Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) ) The couple have enjoyed 37 years of marriage in the years since, as well as having son Roman and daughter Harley Moon. However, it's not been all plain sailing for the pair. In 1995, the actor was diagnosed with two brain tumours and was unable to work for three years. The couple had to downsize their home and Martin had invasive surgery to remove the largest, leaving him with dyslexia, memory loss and epilepsy. Shirlie admitted that she feared Martin would die during the second, riskier, operation before stepping in and saying to the doctor 'I don't think we want to do that". Article continues below She spent the next few months searching for an alternative method and eventually settled on a treatment using lasers to blast tumors without the need for surgery. The procedure was a success, with Martin saying he has "no doubt" that Shirlie saved his life.
Edinburgh Live
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Roman Kemp says ‘my whole life growing up was my mum crying' in heartbreaking revelation
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The One Show host Roman Kemp said he often saw his mother Shirlie in tears for days when he was younger, due to her struggles with the paparazzi. Martin and Shirlie Kemp respectively found fame in the 1980s, when they were at the peak of their singing careers. At the time, Martin, 63, was a part of the band Spandau Ballet and later gained more recognition when he played Steve Owen in EastEnders. Shirlie, also 63, rose to fame as backing singer in the group Wham!, and went on become a part of the duo Pepsi & Shirlie along with Helen DeMacque. After the pair crossed paths on Top of the Pops, a romance blossomed and they went on to marry in 1988. A year later, they welcomed their daughter Harley Moon, now 35, into the world followed by Roman, 32. Reflecting on life in the spotlight from a young age, Roman recalled having cameras in his face and seeing his mum in particular struggle with the fame. Sharing some of his memories with singer Tom Grennan, the presenter remembered him and Harley being in national magazines with their parents, at a time when money was tight. "My parents had no money at the time because my dad had all these operations and s**t for his brain, so like they were trying to get more money," he explained. "But, then, even up to when I was maybe 13, if we'd gone on holiday, we were never allowed to go to the beach because when we went on the beach, my mum and dad would always be like 'there it is' and you'd see a boat come past, quite far out, and then like stop and they'd just be a long lens camera just taking pictures of kids on beaches." The 32-year-old went on to say his mum would often be in tears after seeing pictures the paparazzi had taken in the press. "It's mad in that sense, you see it less and less now, like those old celebrity pictures on the beach, you see that a lot less now," he added on the You About? podcast. "But at the time, my whole life, me growing up, was my mum crying because they're taking horrendous pictures and they'd only use the worst picture." Reflecting on a particular moment on the beach, Roman said Shirlie "cried for like five days" when snaps of the family on a banana boat were published in the press. Martin and Shirlie have previously admitted that they worried about their son breaking into the spotlight, following their experiences with fame. He told Hello! Magazine: "Fame is a difficult thing to cope with full stop and you have to get your head around it. "It's something that I worried about with Roman when he was younger, going into the same industry [as us]. "It's a difficult thing, but Roman's got his feet on the ground, and I'm really happy for him." Shirlie also expressed concerns about the "pressure" of social media and how cruel comments could be impactful. Roman, who is best known for presenting the Capital FM Breakfast Show from 2017 to 2024, and currently The One Show, has previously opened up about his struggles with fame. He told Radio Times Magazine: "The only part about fame I find difficult is being known. "When you've got someone coming over to you in the middle of the street, talking to you about suicide – which I've campaigned about – there are days where I would rather not go out because I can't deal with it."
The Courier
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Were you in the Dundee 'smart set' who partied at Rick's Disco in the 80s?
Rick's Disco was the library-turned-nightclub modelled on glitzy London nightspots which opened in May 1983. Heartbreakers and dancefloor demons lucky enough to have experienced its magic in the 1980s will remember its unmistakable décor and pink and red colour scheme. Rick's Disco soon became recognised across the city and beyond. Rick's opened in an elegant former library building at Blackscroft. St Roque's Reading Rooms were unveiled in 1910 as a place for quiet study after being designed by city architect James Thomson and inspired by a French pavilion. The B-listed structure was designed for the reading of magazines and newspapers. Membership started to decline after the Second World War and it was latterly used for storage before beginning to fall into disrepair in the 1970s and early 1980s. The enterprise of two businessmen ensured the building was saved in 1982 with the former library being turned into a nightclub over a period of eight months. The transformation cost £200,000. The owners wanted to attract 'top end of the market clientele'. An Evening Telegraph advertising feature published in 1983 suggested Rick's Disco would have no difficulty in establishing itself at the forefront of local night spots. It read: 'The new role of the library is that of an exclusive cross between a nightclub and a discotheque, called Rick's. 'The brains behind the venture are managing director Mr Richard Robinson and company secretary Iain MacDonald who make up Blackscroft Entertainments Ltd. 'They envisage Rick's as an upmarket night spot, and the sumptuous décor should ensure that they attract top end of the market clientele. 'As the building is listed, they have ensured that it and the garden have been restored to their original glory with the real changes being kept for the interior. Local tradesmen were used where possible. The style was neo-classical with the dominant colours being red and pinks. The Tele said: 'Chrome and mirrored material have been used throughout but perhaps the main feature is the marble effect fittings. 'The tables are made of this as are pillars which flank the dance floor. 'The twin bars which are illuminated from behind are also of the streaked marble effect. Italian-style light fittings and metallic wallpaper are also featured.' The advertising feature said £23,000 had been spent on the sound and lighting equipment 'which must surely be amongst the most advanced anywhere in the area'. So extensive was the array of controls for the lighting and smoke machine the DJ needed an assistant to work them while he was spinning the vinyl. Songs from Spandau Ballet, Wham!, Human League, Hot Chocolate, Tears for Fears and Yahoo would all have been blasting out on the dancefloor in May 1983. Richard Robinson said there was an opening in Dundee for a 'top class night spot'. 'We will be looking for over 21s, the sort of people who want to enjoy the most modern and best discotheque facilities,' he said. He said Rick's was on a par with similar establishments in London and would be ideal for people 'who have guests up from London who have to be entertained'. Although capacity was 170 the owners did not intend to let it get to 'shoulder to shoulder' as that would 'not be in keeping with the image of the establishment'. Patrons would not be expected to wear collar and tie but denims were banned. Mr Robinson said customers should feel at home in Rick's 'whether they are wearing casual clothes or an evening suit'. The staff of 20 were smartly but not formally dressed in a 'uniform' of black skirt or trousers with a grey collarless shirt which featured the Rick's logo. Snacks were available. Rick's opened from 8pm-2am. Admission was £1 or £2 on Wednesday. Thursday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday was £1.50 before 10pm and £2.50 after 10pm. The twin bars were fully stocked with a complete range of beers and spirits. Drink prices were 'comparable to other establishments in town'. The Tele said Rick's Disco was 'destined to become the haunt of the smart set'. 'The rejuvenation of the former library has not only saved a building of note, it has brought some life to the Blackscroft area of the city,' it read. 'Rick's and the gardens are to be floodlit at night and should soon become a familiar landmark to people out for a night on the town,' it said. The Evening Telegraph checked in again in August 1983 to update readers and said Rick's was 'steadily becoming one of Dundee's most popular night spots'. It said 'stepping through the door is like stepping into another world'. 'With its high quality décor and friendly helpful staff, Rick's attracts a good variety of people looking for an enjoyable night out,' said the Tele. 'It's not a big place, the capacity is about 250, but it has a terrific atmosphere and the people there when we visited certainly seemed to be having a good time.' Tragedy struck only a year after it opened. The former library had to be stripped back to a bare, four-wall shell after it was gutted by fire in May 1984 following an electrical fault. The owners restored the interior of the building, only to have it gutted by fire in 1989. Two years later it reopened as the Peep o' Day function suite and John O'Groats pub, before closing down again in 1993 after suffering from financial difficulties. The venue became a clubbing destination on and off from the mid-90s and was latterly the Reading Rooms, which was at the forefront of the underground club scene. The nightclub started attracting top DJs and music acts crossing genres from electro, dubstep, reggae, funk, soul, techno, drum 'n' bass and beyond. The most famous act appeared on April 3 2003. Reggae giant and dub pioneer Lee 'Scratch' Perry performed with the Robotiks backing band including The Mad Professor on the mixing desk on April 3 2003. He was every bit as eccentric as his reputation implied, and then some. The crowd was transported back to the sounds of '70s Kingston by Perry and set highlights included Zion's Blood, Inspector Gadget and Come Go With Me. His 2003 performance reverberated far beyond the banks of the Tay and a blue plaque was erected by the fictional Dundee Department of Counter Culture to commemorate the night the man of much mystery, myth and legend performed live in the city. Babyshambles, Jake Bugg, Biffy Clyro, Cast, Franz Ferdinand, Wheatus, Afrobeat Orchestra and Fat Freddy's Drop also performed at the Reading Rooms. The Reading Rooms closed for the final time in 2019. But memories remain of its days as one of Dundee's best clubs.
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Real Housewives of London stars spotted filming in Mayfair with former WAG ahead of brand new series
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) REAL Housewives Of London stars hit the town with a high-profile former WAG as they kick-started filming for the brand new series. The Sun previously exclusively revealed the identity of the six glamorous women who have signed up to share their lives on camera. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Former WAG Lizzie Cundy was seen stepping out in Mayfair with the cast of the Real Housewives Of London Credit: w8media 6 She posed up a storm with Hayu show star and close pal Juliet Mayhew Credit: w8media 6 Socialite Amanda Cronin cut a glam figure as she joined the bunch later on Credit: w8media The stylish bunch, who were spotted in swanky Mayfair, will be bringing luxury, fashion, and fireworks to the capital's poshest postcodes in the Hayu series this year. This week, former footballer's wife-turned-broadcaster Lizzie Cundy joined socialite Amanda Cronin and popstar Holly Valance's friend Juliet Mayhew for a night out. Lizzie, who was married to sports star Jason Cundy from 1994 to 2012, oozed glam in a black bodycon dress with silver stripes. She paired her sleeveless attire with pink and purple shoes and styled her blonde locks into beachy waves. She posed up a storm with Juliet, who donned a white print dress and cream boots, with her waist cinched in with a black belt. Amanda, who dated the 80s pop Andrew Ridgeley and is set to reveal all about her Wham! romance on the show, commanded attention in an emerald green suit. She paired her blazer and trousers coord with matching shoes and handbag as she stepped out in the English capital. Amanda and Juliet will be joined on their new reality series by former star of The Real Housewives of Jersey, Karen Loderick-Peace, who is the wife of former West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace. Great British Bake Off: The Professionals star Nessie Welschinger and J-Lo's pal Panthea Parker will also feature, as well as Ladies of London's Juliet Angus. STAR BAN Inside the glamorous life of unknown Real Housewives of London star Panthea Parker as she meets the KING Ahead of the show's launch, Hayu has issued the cast with a strict ban. Scrambling bosses are now trying to prevent further leaks ahead of the official announcement at the end of May. After releasing a 13-second teaser clip on social media, a producer told stars: "Please don't like it or share it or comment on it." The strict instruction was given amid fears of a further leak from show insiders. Best millionaire housewives to follow on social media Linda Andrade - @lionlindaa Soudi Al Nadak - @soudiofarabia Malaikah Raja - @malaikahraja Sofia Kralow - @sofiakralow The Real Housewives Of London is due to air exclusively on Hayu later this year. Olga Puzanova, SVP of Marketing at Hayu, said during the announcement: 'Our fans have been vocal for London to be featured in the iconic The Real Housewives universe for a long time now and we are thrilled to confirm that the wait is finally over! "We are delighted to give our fans exactly what they've been asking for, so get ready for some of London's most fabulous and fiery personalities to shake things up. "The drama, the glamour, and the unforgettable moments are all coming exclusively to Hayu, and we can't wait for you to dive in." 6 Bosses have put a ban on stars revealing any spoilers Credit: hayusocial / Instagram 6 Amanda paired her snappy suit with her bag and shoes Credit: w8media
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Real Housewives of London stars spotted filming in Mayfair with former WAG ahead of brand new series
REAL Housewives Of London stars hit the town with a high-profile former WAG as they kick-started filming for the brand new series. The Sun previously exclusively revealed the who have signed up to share their lives on camera. 6 Former WAG Lizzie Cundy was seen stepping out in Mayfair with the cast of the Real Housewives Of London Credit: w8media 6 She posed up a storm with Hayu show star and close pal Juliet Mayhew Credit: w8media 6 Socialite Amanda Cronin cut a glam figure as she joined the bunch later on Credit: w8media The stylish bunch, who were spotted in swanky Mayfair, will be bringing luxury, fashion, and fireworks to the capital's poshest postcodes in the series this year. This week, former footballer's wife-turned-broadcaster Lizzie Cundy joined socialite Amanda Cronin and popstar Lizzie, who was married to sports star Jason Cundy from 1994 to 2012, oozed glam in a black bodycon dress with silver stripes. She paired her sleeveless attire with pink and purple shoes and styled her blonde locks into beachy waves. read more real housewives She posed up a storm with Juliet, who donned a white print dress and cream boots, with her waist cinched in with a black belt. Amanda, who dated the 80s pop Andrew Ridgeley and is set to reveal all about her Wham! romance on the show, commanded attention in an emerald green suit. She paired her blazer and trousers coord with matching shoes and handbag as she stepped out in the English capital. Amanda and Juliet will be joined on their new reality series by former star of The Real Housewives of Jersey, Karen Loderick-Peace, who is the wife of former West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace. Most read in Reality Great British Bake Off: The Professionals star Nessie Welschinger and STAR BAN Inside the glamorous life of unknown Real Housewives of London star Panthea Parker as she meets the KING Ahead of the show's launch, Scrambling bosses are now trying to prevent further leaks ahead of the official announcement at the end of May. After releasing a 13-second teaser clip on social media, a producer told stars: "Please don't like it or share it or comment on it." The strict instruction was given amid fears of a further leak from show insiders. Best millionaire housewives to follow on social media Linda Andrade - @lionlindaa Soudi Al Nadak - @soudiofarabia Malaikah Raja - @malaikahraja Sofia Kralow - @sofiakralow The Real Housewives Of London is due to air exclusively on Hayu later this year. Olga Puzanova, SVP of Marketing at Hayu, said during the announcement: 'Our fans have been vocal for London to be featured in the iconic The Real Housewives universe for a long time now and we are thrilled to confirm that the wait is finally over! "We are delighted to give our fans exactly what they've been asking for, so get ready for some of London's most fabulous and fiery personalities to shake things up. "The drama, the glamour, and the unforgettable moments are all coming exclusively to Hayu, and we can't wait for you to dive in." 6 Bosses have put a ban on stars revealing any spoilers Credit: hayusocial / Instagram 6 Amanda paired her snappy suit with her bag and shoes Credit: w8media 6 Lizzie was married to footballer Jason Cundy until 2012 Credit: Getty
