Martin Kemp has shared one of the most emotional stories of his life, revealing how a simple letter from his late father changed everything—and ultimately helped launch the career that made him a household name.
Speaking candidly on his son Roman Kemp’s You About? podcast, the Spandau Ballet star became visibly emotional as he reflected on the moment his father chose to believe in his dream, despite the family struggling financially.
The Letter That Changed His Life
Martin recalled being just 17 years old and working as an apprentice compositor in the printing industry when he realized his heart belonged to music.
At the time, apprenticeships were binding five-year commitments, meaning he couldn’t simply walk away to pursue life in a band.
Instead, his father, Frank, stepped in.
Martin revealed that his dad personally wrote to his employer, asking for permission to release his son early so he could chase an unlikely dream.
The letter simply read:
“Dear Sir. You have to excuse Martin from his apprenticeship. Will you release him early because he wants to be… a rockstar?”
Looking back, Martin said the gesture wasn’t simply about trust—it was about something much deeper.
“It wasn’t really about trust,” he explained. “It was about my dad having faith in me and wanting to give me a chance, and not wanting to nail me down in one place.”
“We Had Nothing”
As Roman asked his father about the memory, Martin struggled to keep his emotions under control.
His voice cracked as he admitted that only now does he fully appreciate what that decision meant.
“I’ve told that story so many times,” he said.
“But every now and again, you realise how important it is.”
Then came the heartbreaking realization that left listeners emotional.
“When my dad wrote me that letter… we had nothing.”
Martin explained that his family was facing serious financial hardship at the time.
By staying in his apprenticeship, he could have earned a secure income and helped support the household.
Instead, his father encouraged him to risk everything for a dream that might never come true.
Martin believes his dad genuinely believed he would succeed—and that faith became one of the greatest gifts he ever received.
A Loss That Still Hurts
The conversation also brought back memories of losing both of his parents in 2009.
In one of the most devastating periods of his life, Martin’s mother died just 48 hours after his father passed away.
Although years have gone by, he says their presence still feels close.
Speaking previously about revisiting old family home videos, Martin revealed that watching the footage brought overwhelming emotions flooding back.
“Both of my parents have passed on now, but I’ve got memories of them and it feels like I can still smell them when I see old clips,” he said.
His wife Shirlie had gifted him a vintage camera capable of playing old family tapes, allowing him to relive precious moments with his parents and children.
“I hadn’t seen these tapes in years,” Martin recalled.
“I was watching them back through this little lens with my eye up against it, crying my eyes out.”
“It brought back so many beautiful memories.”
A Father’s Faith That Changed Everything
Martin’s story is a reminder that behind every successful career is often someone who believed long before anyone else did.
For Martin, it wasn’t a record executive or a talent scout.
It was his father—a man with very little money, but limitless faith in his son’s future.
Decades later, after global success with Spandau Ballet, a celebrated acting career, and becoming one of Britain’s most beloved television personalities, Martin still credits that single handwritten letter as one of the defining moments of his life.
Sometimes, the greatest gift a parent can give isn’t money or security.
It’s simply believing in a dream before the rest of the world does.
