Martin and Shirlie Kemp pay tribute to George Michael George Michael may have famously played a pivotal part in bringing Martin and Shirlie Kemp together but he also almost ruined their first date. The pop superstar was just breaking through and beginning to enjoy success with Wham! when he made Shirlie call Martin for a date three weeks after the Spandau Ballet star gave her his number. However his interference in their romance didn't end there and he even accompanied her on their date - and refused to leave much to Martin's chagrin.
Speaking on the Jonathan Ross show three years ago, Martin, who plays the Back 2 festival today, explained why he was irked. "I arranged to meet Shirley at the Camden Palace and as I'm walking down towards [it], I see Shirlie standing there with her mate. And I'm thinking, 'Oh, no, she's brought a wingman'.
That's the last thing you need on your first date. "But it was George Michael!" he exclaimed. "So we get to the Palace, and Shirlie and I - first date, we're trying to get on our own to do a little bit of snogging.
And George was all over it. We couldn't get rid of him to save our lives," Martin laughed. READ MORE: 'Brilliant' BBC star dies weeks after new series of hit show began filming Shirlie Kemp and Martin Kemp have been married for nearly 40 years (Image: Getty) While George apparently couldn't take a hint that night Martin also revealed Shirlie later told him George had complained because they did nothing but snog all night.
Despite p.