Before facing the gruelling Bushtucker trials in the Australian jungle on I'm A Celebrity, Martin Kemp was tackling a very different kind of challenge back home in the UK. The Spandau Ballet star, together with his wife Shirlie, has been transforming their Victorian property into their ultimate dream home.
The couple, who have been married since 1988, have spent over a year completely gutting and rebuilding their house, documenting the entire process on their Instagram account, Maison Number 9. Their lavish renovation project provided the perfect distraction for Martin before swapping his paintbrushes for rice and beans in the jungle.
From Run-Down Victorian to Dream Cottage
The Kemps didn't just give their home a superficial makeover. They undertook a comprehensive transformation of the previously dilapidated property. Shirlie, the Pepsi icon and former Wham! singer, revealed the extent of their ambitious project.
'We took an old house that was completely run down, and we knocked every single wall and ceiling down that you can imagine,' Shirlie explained. 'We rebuilt something that would be perfect for us.'
She added that this complete overhaul represented the fulfilment of a long-held dream for the couple. 'We tried new houses and old houses, but we always said we'd love to find something we could do from scratch. And that is what happened, that was the ultimate dream.'
The Heart of the Home: A Calm Kitchen Space
The newly renovated kitchen stands as the centrepiece of their transformed home. Featuring contemporary touches, a large central island, and elegant brass lighting, the space has become what Shirlie describes as a 'calm space' for the family to enjoy.
'The first thing I do when walking into a room is imagine it totally empty,' Shirlie shared about her design process. 'I really liked the shape of this kitchen, it was easy to see what I needed to do.'
Interestingly, she revealed that she nearly made more significant structural changes. 'I was going to knock a wall down and make it more open but changed my mind as the project went on.'
The Pig Shed Transformation
Perhaps the most unique aspect of their property makeover involved the garden's existing pig shed. The couple had affectionately nicknamed the structure 'Piglet', which was believed to date back to 1940.
Faced with a damaged roof, they decided against simple repairs and instead completely overhauled the space, transforming it into what Shirlie calls a 'romantic rustic dining room'.
'It took me a while to paint Piglet white inside as the patina on the old part of the walls had a warm Tuscany like charm,' Shirlie admitted. 'But at the same time I wanted to use the space as a photography studio, so I followed my gut and painted the walls, ceiling and floor all white and I absolutely love it.'
The couple's home transformation comes as both of their children - TV presenter son Roman, 32, and singer daughter Harley Moon, 36 - are competing on BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World, making the newly cosy cottage the perfect sanctuary for family gatherings when everyone returns from their adventures.
