Martin Kemp's 'make or break' moment which nearly 'ended' Shirlie marriage
Martin and Shirlie Kemp got married in a private ceremony in 1998 and are parents to children Harleymoon and Roman.
Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie have been married since 1988 and are parents to children Harleymoon and Roman. Despite being a picture of marital bliss, the former EastEnders actor previously opened up about a make or break it moment for the pair.
The 62-year-old revealed he was diagnosed with two brain tumours in the 90s which meant he was unable to work for four years and also developed epilepsy as a result.
In a joint interview with Classic Pop Magazine, Martin expressed: "The time when I was really sick was when it could have ended for me and Shirlie.
"For most couples, that moment makes you or breaks you. It made us stronger, but the stress is so humongous it can tear couples apart."
Shirlie, 62, added: "When you’re with someone who’s that critically ill, it strips away everything. You see life for what it truly is and we realised life is so precious."
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The couple reportedly met just weeks after Shirlie had performed ‘Young Guns’ on Top of the Pops with Wham! After five years of dating, the two headed to Saint Lucia in 1988 where they said ‘I do’.
A year later, they welcomed their first child, Harley Moon, before bringing their son Roman, into the world in 1993. As a result of his previous life threatening brain tumours, Martin recently revealed he believes he only has ten years to live.
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By the age of 34, the music icon had battled two brain tumours and to this day says that he feels lucky to be alive.
His brush of a near-death experience left him saying that he accepted the fact he was going to die back then and is now on borrowed time.
In an interaction with his son Roman on their FFS! My dad is Martin Kemp podcast he explained: "Every day, every year every month that I’ve lived has been a bonus,” he said.
The singer concluded by adding that he intends on making the best of every moment he has left on this earth.