Spandau Ballet guitarist Martin Kemp was the sixth contestant to be voted off I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on Thursday.
The 64-year-old was no doubt pleased to be exiting the Jungle, as his former campmates who were voted off before him relayed messages to his wife, Shirlie, that he was ‘desperate’ to be reunited with her.
And he was, on the I’m A Celebrity bridge, as the former Pepsi & Shirlie singer, 63, had flown out to Australia to support her husband of 40 years.
His exit came just hours after he finally left the camp to take part in a Bushtucker trial, as presenter Vogue Williams revealed on a live stream that he was secretly exempt from some of the challenges.
After 20 days in the Jungle, he joined longtime hosts Ant and Dec and told them: ‘I have dreamt about this moment.
‘It’s just a weird trip. I loved just sitting around and talking with the others. I said it a few times on there, I’m not one for making new friends and this is the first time I’ve done it in years and I absolutely loved it.
Spandau Ballet guitarist Martin Kemp was the sixth contestant to be voted off I’m A Celebrity Get Me… Out Of Here! on Thursday
Martin reunited with his wife Shirlie, 63, who had flown out to Australia to support her husband of 40 years
‘Coming out now, I feel like I’ve done everything I want to do, experienced it and I can walk out with some brilliant anecdotes.
‘I wasn’t one of those guys that was dancing and singing and stuff, I just brought a calm energy.’
Kemp’s son, Roman, appeared in the 2019 series of the ITV reality show and placed third behind Jacqueline Jossa, and Martin said he was still ‘glad’ he didn’t beat his son’s placement on the show.
Roman himself was quick to react to his dad’s exit, earlier in the series than him, with a tongue-in-cheek post on X, with the caption: ‘Oh noooo.’
But on a sweeter note, he went on to add: ‘Love him and love that some of you have seen a snapshot of the man I aspire to be! We’ve had some great laughs on here. Tom for the win #ImACelebrity.’
The One Show presenter, 32, was vocal on social media about his father’s time in the Jungle and earlier this week complained about his lack of airtime on the show.
He took to comparing the eighties pop star as the ‘jungle ghost’ due to his lack of airtime on the show, which has also been noted by fans.
Celebrating his success, Roman said: ‘The Ghost of the Jungle lives another day! Well done #TeamKemp! Now get voting to save him…’
Martin on the iconic I’m A Celeb bridge with the former Pepsi & Shirlie singer
After 20 days in the Jungle, he joined longtime hosts Ant and Dec and told them: ‘I have dreamt about this moment’
Roman himself was quick to react to his dad’s exit, earlier in the series than him, with a tongue-in-cheek post on X
The One Show presenter went on to share a sweeter message for his dad, adding that he was now backing Tom Read Wilson to win
He added: ‘Imagine we actually got him to go far without ever seeing him! Let’s do it.’
Having second thoughts, he also wrote: ‘I’ll tell you this, if my dad survives tomorrow. I’m going to start the anti-voting campaign. I’m not having him beat my 3rd place. I’d never live it down.’
With the eliminations well underway and the finale in sight, Roman also publicly pointed out Martin’s lack of Bushtucker Trials.
Taking to social media, he wrote: ‘Genuine question, is my dad the only one to have not done an actual trial?’
Fans flooded him with replies, with one pointing out: ‘If it wasn’t for your posts, I’m not sure I would have realised he was on it.’
He also revealed that Martin ‘doesn’t have mates’ and said: ‘One thing I have noticed is my dad keeps saying ‘my new friends’.
‘He genuinely doesn’t have mates so he means it, he’ll be really be chuffed. Again not being mean, that’s the truth.’
While it seemed quite a harsh critique, which was picked up on by viewers, Roman said: ‘We’re pretty open. Also the fact he’s said it on about a million podcasts.’
Earlier in the episode, fans were left stunned when Martin finally left camp to do a trial after Vogue revealed he was secretly exempt.
The Spandau Ballet legend and Celebs Go Dating star Tom, 39, teamed up for the latest challenge, Lethal Libraries.
Following her exit, Vogue claimed Martin was exempt from some as she answered fan’s questions online.
But, while it turns out he was able to participate this week, the lion’s share of the work did go to Tom who was left to rummage through a bookshelf covered with snakes while Martin answered questions.
Sharing their excitement as the duo left camp, viewers wrote to X: ‘Martin Kemp is doing something!!! This is not a drill!’
‘Martin having a conversation AND a trial in the same episode? Who would’ve thought’; ‘Martin doing a trial?’; ‘Finally… Martin doing trial. Yay.’
Earlier in the episode, fans were left stunned when Martin finally left camp to do a trial after Vogue Williams revealed he was secretly exempt
The Spandau Ballet legend and Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson, 39, teamed up for the latest challenge, Lethal Libraries
However other’s were left disappointed after learning Martin’s role in the task and added: ‘Martin not really doing the trial even when he’s doing a trial’;
‘This lowkey feels like a trial designed just to get Martin and Tom out of the camp. It could easily be done as a one person trial’;
‘Of course martin finally does a trial and he just gets to stand there’; ‘Martin doing a trial but still not doing much.’
His son Roman shared his own post and exclaimed: ‘Let’s go!!!’
Earlier this week, Vogue claimed Martin was exempt from a number of I’m A Celebrity trials.
The Irish presenter, 40, was booted from the ITV jungle show on Monday night and has since adjusted to life outside camp.
On Wednesday night, Vogue took to her official Instagram account where she went live to answer fans’ I’m A Celebrity questions.
During the Q&A, from her luxurious bedroom at the five-star Marriott Hotel in Surfer’s Paradise, Vogue claimed Martin Kemp was secretly exempt from a selection of Bushtucker trials.
While it turns out he was able to participate, the lion’s share of the work did go to Tom who was left to rummage through a bookshelf covered with snakes while Martin answered questions
Earlier this week, Vogue claimed Martin was exempt from a number of I’m A Celebrity trials
It comes a day after his own son, presenter Roman, poked fun at his father’s lack of participation when it came to the challenges.
Vogue told fans: ‘Martin did want to do the trials, but Martin was exempt from some.
‘And I think everybody wanted to do the trials, which was probably unusual for a year.’
She added: ‘I think that because Martin is a bit quieter he was kinda happy to let everybody else go ahead.
‘Martin’s sound, such a nice guy. He’s really, really lovely.’
The Daily Mail has approached ITV for comment.
It’s not unusual for celebrities to be deemed exempt from trials, with factors such as a star’s medical history or their age playing a key part in the determination.
During Wednesday’s episode, fans flooded social media with comments as Jack Osbourne took on the latest trial.
‘Another day another trial Martin isn’t doing’; ‘Is Martin wearing the cloak of invisibility or something like.’
