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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Katie Rosseinsky

Roman Kemp's family and friends: The I'm A Celeb star's A-list connections from Martin Kemp to George Michael

I’m A Celebrity hopeful Roman Kemp is one of the most well-connected men in showbiz.

As the youngest child of Martin and Shirlie Kemp, the radio presenter is ‘80s pop royalty - and thanks to his Capital breakfast show gig, he’s also forged friendships with a number of famous faces.

The 26-year-old is also set to make a whole host of new pals during his stint in the Australian jungle, where he’s sharing the camp with the likes of Ian Wright, Caitlyn Jenner, Jacqueline Jossa and Nadine Coyle.

Here’s your guide to Roman’s star-studded family and friendship circle...

Martin Kemp

Double act: Martin and Roman Kemp (Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images)

Roman's father Martin is best known as the bassist from '80s group Spandau Ballet and also appeared as Steve Owen in EastEnders.

The pair have a close relationship and Roman regularly shares photos of the two of them hanging out on his Instagram account while they've also appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox together.

The musician appears to be getting into the spirit of his son's I'm A Celebrity stint by voting for him to undertake some grim bushtucker trials...

Shirlie Kemp

Family: Roman with his mother Shirlie (John Phillips/Getty Images)

His mother is former Wham! backing singer Shirlie Kemp (nee Holliman), who was introduced to her future husband by George Michael (who even tagged along as a third wheel for the couple's first date at the Camden Palace).

Gary Kemp​

Bandmates: Martin and Gary Kemp (John Phillips/Getty Images)

Martin's older brother and Spandau Ballet bandmate has also had a string of film and television roles. Remember him as Whitney's PR in The Bodyguard?

George Michael​

Close: Roman said the singer was

The late singer, who died in 2016, was godfather to Roman and his sister Harley Moon.

Discussing their relationship in the jungle, the DJ revealed that Michael was "like an uncle" to him when he was growing up.

"You'd see him at dinners, Christmas, the lot," he said. "It is really nice that all the memories I have are so nice, going on holidays, and having my parents compete with Christmas presents."

He added: "Memories like that, they're so nice to have but it's strange because for me it was just my mum's best mate."

​Anne-Sophie Flury

Roman has been dating Anne-Sophie Flury for two years and they even share a tiny chihuahua, Luna, who has her on Instagram account.

Speaking ahead of her boyfriend's stint in the jungle, she revealed that she had been trying to make Roman, who is vegetarian, get used to eating meat before heading Down Under.

"We haven't actually eaten meat for two years but I've been introducing him to it again," she told the Mirror. "Every time we've been out recently I've tried to get him trying something different. I think he'll be alright with it."

She also admitted that she is a "huge fan" of Keeping Up With The Kardashians so she is excited to see Roman get to know Caitlyn in the jungle.

"It's nice to have a different version of the show featuring my boyfriend," she said.

Vick Hope​

Colleagues: Vick Hope with co-host Roman Kemp (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Roman has presented the Capital Breakfast show with Vick Hope and Sonny Jay since 2017, and he and the Strictly Come Dancing alum have also appeared together on TV shows including ITV2's 2Awesome.

The pair recently co-wrote their very first children's book, titled Listen Up, which tells the story of two groups of school friends who host rival radio shows.

Niall ​Horan

Thanks to his radio career, Roman is on friendly terms with a number of music industry types, including the One Direction boys.

He recently teamed up with Niall Horan for a special Soccer Aid match - and the singer recently paid Roman the dubious favour of incorrectly tattooing the title of his latest track onto his leg, writing 'Nice to melt ya' instead of 'Nice to meet ya'...

Ed Sheeran

Roman has another dodgy tattoo courtesy of another singing superstar. Ed Sheeran tattooed the phrase "Ed Woz Ere" onto his leg, but branded Roman with the wrong date, writing "2k7" instead of "2k17."

The presenter later revealed that he'd initially been ready to get the inking lasered off - but his dad persuaded him to keep it.

Harry Styles​

Roman ​has interviewed the former One Direction star a handful of times since he embarked on a solo career, most recently to coincide with the release of his latest single Lights Up, and the pair have clearly struck up a strong rapport.

The presenter can even do a mean impression of Styles - which proved so uncanny that it shocked his former bandmate Liam Payne...

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