In a moment that left the nation clutching their hearts and reaching for the tissues, Spandau Ballet icon and EastEnders bad boy Martin Kemp has become the SIXTH celebrity brutally booted from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – just as he was on the cusp of jungle glory after 20 gruelling days of trials, tantrums, and triumphs!

The 64-year-old rockstar, who skydived into the Aussie outback with his trademark cheeky grin back in mid-November 2025, waved a tearful goodbye on Thursday night’s nail-biting episode (December 4), crossing that infamous bridge amid a chorus of boos from devastated viewers. Pitted against Emmerdale firecracker Lisa Riley in a savage public vote, it was Martin who got the chop – despite surviving multiple elimination scares that had even his radio DJ son Roman Kemp scratching his head in disbelief, tweeting: ‘How is Dad still there?!’ Fans were robbed, they cried, with social media erupting in a frenzy of heartbreak emojis, ‘FIX!’ screams, and pleas for ITV to ‘bring him back!’

As the credits rolled, Britain was in meltdown. ‘MARTIN KEMP DID NOT DESERVE THIS! He’s a legend, faced his fears, kept it classy – Lisa’s great but this is a TRAVESTY!’ blasted one viral X post from a fan page with 50k followers, racking up 12,000 likes in minutes. Another sobbed: ‘In tears watching Martin walk that bridge. 20 days of no luxuries, brain tumour survivor, 80s icon… and this is how we repay him? #JusticeForMartin #ImACelebRobbed.’ Betting shops reported a surge in bets on Martin for King of the Jungle pre-exit, with odds plummeting from 5/1 to out – punters left out of pocket and fuming.

The drama peaked in a tense campfire reveal hosted by perennial presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who looked genuinely gutted as they dropped the bombshell. ‘Martin, you’re going home,’ Dec said softly, as the camp erupted in hugs. Martin, ever the gent, pulled Lisa into a bear hug, whispering: ‘You smashed it, darling – go win this for us oldies!’ His final diary room confessional was pure gold: ‘I’ve done it all – the bugs, the starvation, the chats around the fire. No regrets, just brilliant anecdotes. Dreamt of this bridge… now it’s real.’ Choking back tears, he added: ‘Felt like crying the whole time in there. But I wouldn’t change a second.’

Waiting at the bridge’s end? None other than his Wham! backing singer wife of 37 years, Shirlie Holliman, 62, who rushed into his arms for a passionate clinch that had viewers swooning. ‘I’ve missed you so much, my rockstar,’ Shirlie sobbed, as Martin quipped: ‘First thing I’m eating? A proper steak – no more kangaroo balls!’ Their reunion was the stuff of soap operas – Martin, looking gaunt but glowing, planted a smacker on Shirlie before spilling to Ant and Dec: ‘Shirlie’s words when I left? “Come back in one piece – and bring stories!” She’s my everything.’

But oh, the journey to this bittersweet farewell! Martin, bassist for 80s heartthrobs Spandau Ballet (Gold! True! Chant No 1!), wasn’t your typical jungle diva. He entered Series 25 with baggage: a brain tumour battle in 2023 that left him partially sighted and dyslexic scars from childhood, plus a rocky band history with ex-mate Tony Hadley that fans begged him to spill. And spill he did – in hushed campfire tales, Martin dished on George Michael’s wild parties (‘He’d paint my living room naked!’), Spandau’s bitter split (‘Money tore us apart – but music heals’), and EastEnders’ Steve Owen reign as the ultimate bad boy (‘I loved playing the villain – mirrored my life!’).

Trials? Martin conquered like a champ, despite minimal airtime that sparked ‘ghost’ complaints. Paired with Lisa in Vomit Vortex (Week 2), they bagged 9/12 stars amid green bile sprays – Martin gagging but grinning: ‘Tastes like 80s afterparty sick!’ In Freaky Feast, he chomped camel penis and blended sheep vagina smoothie (‘Worse than touring with Gary Kemp’s ego!’), earning 11 stars and camp cheers. Celebrity Cyclone saw him slip but score 7/12, yelling: ‘For Shirlie and the kids!’ Fans adored his low-key vibe: ‘Martin’s the dad we all need – quiet strength amid the chaos,’ one gushed.

Yet airtime woes plagued him. Viewers fumed: ‘Why no Martin? He’s vanished!’ Turns out, producers prioritised ‘youthful drama’ with Aitch, AngryGinge13, and Shona McGarty. Martin addressed it post-exit: ‘Happy for the kids to shine – let them have the screen. I was there for the experience, not fame.’ Son Roman echoed on Capital FM: ‘Dad’s a legend for lasting this long with barely a mention. Proud but baffled!’ Eliminated Vogue Williams spilled on Lorraine: ‘Martin’s the laidback camp dad – cooked, cleaned, mediated rows. Producers should’ve shown more!’

Camp life was Martin’s therapy. Amid rows (Ruby Wax’s diva meltdowns, Jack Osbourne’s MS flares), he played peacemaker. ‘Felt like crying daily – hunger, homesickness, tumours flashbacks,’ he confessed. ‘But bonds formed: Lisa’s my soap sis now, Tom’s posh butler charm won me over.’ He backed Tom Read Wilson for the win: ‘That voice could charm crocs!’ No enemies – even snubbing claims in exit chat (fans spotted no shoutouts to Jack/Ruby) were brushed off: ‘Brain fog, mates – loved ’em all!’

Family reactions? Priceless. Roman, 32, who finished THIRD in 2019, posted a montage: ‘Dad outdid me – 20 days vs my 18! How?! Love you, no mates club forever 😂.’ Daughter Harley Moon, 29, teared up on Insta: ‘Pops, you’re my hero. Brain tumour warrior in the jungle? Unbreakable.’ Shirlie, watching from UK luxe home (converted pig shed in Hertfordshire!), told Mirror: ‘Heart in mouth every trial. His first words home? “Missed your cooking – and cuddles.” Reunited at plush hotel with axed stars, they partied till dawn.

Career-wise, jungle’s a boon. Post-exit, Martin teased: ’80s tour with Spandau reunion? Tony, call me!’ (Cheeky Hadley jab: ‘He’s still sulking over royalties!’). EastEnders comeback whispers, podcast boom (Martin & Roman’s already No.1), and book deal on tumour survival. First buy? Sunglasses – ‘Eyes fried from Down Under glare!’ Fans speculate I’m A Celeb South Africa All-Stars 2026: ‘Martin deserves redemption!’

Previous boots set the stage: Alex Scott (1st, family stroke drama), Kelly Brook (2nd, neutral queen), Vogue Williams (3rd, hunger hell), Eddie Kadi (4th, comic chaos), Ruby Wax (5th, therapy queen). Now left: Lisa Riley, Aitch, AngryGinge, Shona McGarty, Jack Osbourne, Tom Read Wilson – finals fever!

Critics hail Martin’s impact: ‘Quiet king – showed vulnerability trumps drama,’ raved Radio Times. Detractors? ‘Boring ghost – snubbed mates!’ But 80% loved him per polls. Social storm: #MartinKemp trending UK Top 5, edits of Gold over bridge walk, petitions for All-Stars.

As Martin jets home to Shirlie’s embrace, one thing’s clear: jungle didn’t break him – it rebuilt him. ‘Purpose greater than fame,’ he reflected. With finals looming (AngryGinge fave at 2/1), will Lisa avenge him? Or Tom’s velvet voice clinch? Britain’s glued – but Martin’s legacy? Eternal. From 80s ballads to bush tucker balls, the Kemp charm endures. What a way to bow out… or is it? All-Stars whispers grow louder. Stay tuned, jungle junkies!