Martin Kemp, the former Spandau Ballet performer, has opened up about his battle with two benign brain tumors in his 30s, revealing his fears that he may only have “ten years to live.” In a candid conversation on the podcast he co-hosts with his son Roman Kemp, titled ‘FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp’, the 62-year-old shared his thoughts on mortality.
“I’ll be really honest with you, 10 years,” Martin said when asked about his life expectancy. Reflecting on his past health scare, he added, “Since I was the age of 34, when I went through all of that brain tumor scare, I spent two years of my life thinking I was going to die.”
Despite facing such a daunting diagnosis, Martin expressed gratitude for the life he has lived. “I was practically resigned to the fact that I was going to die, but I was quite happy with my lot,” he said. “Every year that I live, every month that I’m alive now is like a bonus.”
In 2014, Martin revealed on ‘Piers Morgan’s Life Stories’ that his wife, Shirlie, had urged him to get checked after noticing a mass on his head. The tumors were successfully removed through surgery and radiotherapy, but Martin now manages epilepsy as a side effect.
Martin’s resilience and positive outlook have inspired many, including his support for Princess of Wales when she announced her cancer diagnosis. As he navigates his health journey, Martin continues to cherish each moment as a precious gift.