Shirlie Kemp talks of pride over famous children and breaking down in supermarket

Being a mum to two young stars cant be easy, but Shirlie Kemp appears to be taking it in her stride.

The 64-year-old, who was a backing vocalist for 80s band Wham! and is married to Spandau Ballet bassist Martin, has supported her children singer Harley, 36, and DJ and presenter Roman, 33 as theyve stepped out of their famous parents shadow and found success on their own terms.

But like any family, the Kemps have had their struggles. One thing thats been particularly tough for Shirlie is witnessing her son Romans mental health battles. Having suffered with clinical depression and panic attacks since his early teens, Roman also suffered from PTSD after his best friends suicide in 2020.

His experiences prompted him to present two powerful documentaries, Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency on BBC Three and Roman Kemp: The Fight For Young Lives on BBC One, addressing the male suicide crisis in the UK.

It makes me tearful even talking about it, Shirlie said. One lady came up to me in the supermarket and told me her son had been struggling really badly with his mental health. She told me that when he saw Romans documentary, it really helped him. She was holding my hand and we just ended up standing there in a supermarket, crying.

Youre only as happy as your unhappiest child, arent you? For me, the fact Roman has turned something so painful into something positive is just incredible. But it was a horrendous time for him its not easy to think about.

What is clear is Shirlies strong bond with both her children. In fact, she and Harley have just returned from a cruise in the Mediterranean together.

She said of her daughter, Shes just a very happy person. If I get worried about something, shell say, Nope, none of that, we havent got time for that. So I have to snap out of it. She keeps me upbeat.

Were just really good friends, Harley agreed. Mums so brilliant at helping you develop a clear vision of what you want and how to go about it if youre at a crossroads about something. Shes also the total family manager, always making sure everythings running smoothly and keeping us happy. She literally never stops.

Harley is equally close to dad Martin, she confessed. Im not a daddys or a mummys girl, never was. I just feel like Roman and I have been really fortunate weve grown up in an environment where our parents treated us like friends and inspired us to do what we love.

Indeed, Martin previously told us one of the things he and Shirlie both wanted when Harley and Roman were young was to feel like a little gang, and its something theyve evidently succeeded at. He said, I think a lot of the other parents at school kind of frowned upon it. It wasnt everybodys cup of tea, but it worked for us.

He admitted that he and Shirlie, who married in St Lucia in 1988, have always tried to bring their kids up with no embarrassment about anything. We dont hide anything, life is life, he said.

Martin and Shirlie who says her husband is still the best-looking man Ive ever seen after four decades together couldnt be more proud of how their grown-up children have turned out, especially after watching them smashing it on Celebrity Race Across The World last year and winning the series.

They did so well, Shirlie beamed. I genuinely cried when they won. I was aching from relief. I dont think Ive ever been that emotional. I think its because both of them were doing it together, but were so far away.

I wasnt even thinking, I hope my kids win this. My only thought was, I hope theyre safe. Then they went and won it!

Shirlie wont stand for any talk of her children being nepo babies kids who get ahead simply because of their parents fame. She previously told us, I really hate the nepo baby thing, its so ridiculous. Its such a stupid saying. Its like farmers, are they called the nepo baby farmers?

With my kids, it was in their DNA. Harleys been singing and songwriting since I can remember. And Roman, when he was about four years old, we called him Roman the Showman. Hed watch Frank Sinatra and the next minute he was doing a show for us.

Shirlie explained she was dancing in the front row at one of Harleys festival concerts the night before our chat. Harley said: Festival season is my happy place, honestly. Last night, I was on stage in sequinned tassels, shaking my butt and singing my songs heaven.

Asked if her musical parents have given her any career tips, Shirlie was quick to intercede. Tips? Harleys more talented than Ill ever be. She plays instruments, she writes everything. Seeing her on stage last night, I felt so comfortable, because I can see shes not doing it to try and be famous. Shes doing it because this is her joy, and thats lovely.

Harley agreed: Both my parents are in the music business, yes, but its more that its inspiring to be around them because they love what they do. If you find something you love, just work really hard at it, thats what theyve taught me.

Asked if shes been glued to all the latest on Taylor Swift and her nuptials, Harley shook her head. Im not a Swiftie, Im afraid. Im more rocknroll, she laughs.

The one star the pair would both love to meet is Alanis Morissette, who they recently saw together in concert. She was amazing, said Shirlie. Shes got that grit. Shes a badass.

The mother and daughter duo clearly love spending time with each other, and it shows when talk turns to their cruise with Norwegian. Shirlie had cruised before, but never around the Med, while Harley was a total cruise virgin, but by the sounds of it, both are now fans.

It was one of the best trips Ive ever had, gushed Shirlie. I loved taking Harley to Rome, throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain. Thats what I love about travel, youre making lifetime memories.

My other big highlight was the Amalfi Coast cookery school, Heavens Garden. It was breathtaking. These moments are worth more than any designer handbag.

Harley said: It was the ultimate girlie trip. You see a different place every day, but its completely stress-free travel. There are so many options from restaurants to relaxing massages at the spa, the gym. We even did karaoke one night.

Shirlie added: Its just lovely thinking, I dont need to call a taxi now after a night out. I spent one night chilling out in my cabin. That ocean view! I find it meditative, staring out to sea. It invigorates me.

Looking ahead, Harley has more gigs in September and is working on new music. She has also filmed Celebrity Mastermind, which airs at Christmas.

Shirlie has been in the studio, singing with The D-Day Darlings. Theyre lovely. They do the most authentic vintage 50s material, wartime songs and they sing to veterans, she says.

As a family, the Kemps are much-loved. Would they ever contemplate their own fly-on-the-wall reality show? Shirlie laughed, No, were far too normal. They wouldnt get enough drama.

There is one show that Harley would do in a heartbeat, though. Id love to do Strictly , she added. Im a pretty good dancer and if youve seen me on stage, youll know I already have all the sparkly outfits.

Shirlie and Harleymoon Kemp teamedup with Norwegian Cruise Line to enjoya multi-generational voyage with NCLsFree at Sea offering. Visit www.ncl.comto plan your next family adventure

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