Martin Kemp admits he auditioned for the role of James Bond
He missed out to Pierce Brosnan!
Last updated 20th Nov 2025
Greatest Hits Radio presenter Martin Kemp may not have been voted for any Bushtucker trials yet, but he's certainly making an impact in the I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! camp.
As well as jumping out of a helicopter, giggling his way through the entrance task and taking part in the first Dingo Dollar Challenge, Martin left his fellow camp mates speechless during Monday (17th November) night's episode.
64-year-old Martin, who appeared in the likes of EastEnders and The Krays in the 90s, revealed he actually auditioned for the iconic role of James Bond.
Speaking to his camp mates, Martin said: "I was up for James Bond, I met Barbara Broccoli. Did that in my youth."
Unfortunately for Martin, Pierce Brosnan pipped him to the role, going on to appear as 007 in films like Die Another Day, GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
However, it sounds like Martin's camp mates and the viewers at home would have loved to see him as Bond.
Kelly Brook said in the Bush Telegraph: "He would have made a great Bond, he has got those beautiful blue eyes, he's very tall, he's got the charisma!"
A fan then commented: 'He would have made an excellent Bond', with another adding: 'He would still make a good James Bond'. A third then gushed: ''Martin Kemp would have been the sexiest James Bond. I might have finally watched my first James Bond if so'.
Elsewhere on Monday night's show, Martin took part in the first Dingo Dollar Challenge alongside Kelly, where the pair managed to win some chocolate Jazzies for the group.
Although he's managed to escape the first two Bushtucker Trials, Martin told GHR's Kate Thornton he's up for anything.
When Kate asked Martin how he's feeling about the possibility of eating the disgusting delights of the jungle, Martin said: "It's a bit weird the whole eating thing. I'm not a great eater anyway, I am quite fussy with what I eat. I kind of like it easy."
Going on to admit that although he's usually a vegetarian, he will be willing too 'switch his veggie' brain off so he can partake in the eating trials, he said: "The thing that appeals to me most I think is rice and beans, I'm a veggie at home. I'm going to switch my veggie brain off for a while, and if they ask me to eat a kangaroo's anus, I will.
"I don't have a problem with it. I'm not using any get outs, I'm using get ins, I want them to choose me for those rotten trials. I want them to choose me to do all of that eating stuff because I want to experience it. What's the point of going in there, staying on your camp bed with your sleeping bag over your head? I want to be part of it, I want to experience the full thing.
"If they serve that anus up on a plate, I will eat it."
Check out Martin Kemp's I'm A Celeb journey so far below:
Martin is announced for I'm A Celeb
Martin was officially announced as a camp mate on Monday 10th November, alongside the likes of Ruby Wax, Alex Scott and Aitch.
Speaking ahead of his flight to Australia, Martin said: "I am absolutely looking forward to it. Just the idea of doing something different for a month, being taken out of the real world and put inside this little capsule that is I'm A Celebrity, that we all know so well."
Martin faces his fear of heights
Being forced to face his fears immediately, Martin jumped out of a helicopter during the launch episode, but he didn't let it faze him, laughing throughout the jump! Once he touched down, Martin met hosts Ant and Dec and co-stars Aitch, Kelly Brook, Eddie Kadi and Shona McGarty.
Martin travels to camp in the Cocky Van
After losing out on the the luxury of the getaway car, Martin found himself locked in the 'Cocky Van' alongside Kelly Brook, Shona McGarty, Alex Scott, Ruby Wax and Lisa Riley. The group were joined in the van by thousands of nasty critters, but Martin just laughed it off, getting the giggles in the process!
The group managed to get all stars available and finally made their way into the main camp.
Martin takes part in the first Dingo Dollar Challenge
In episode two, Martin and co-star Kelly Brook were tasked with taking part in the first Dingo Dollar Challenge, called Bingo Balls! The pair had to answer questions by putting coloured balls in a tube, trying to find the word BINGO on the board. After a shaky start, Martin and Kelly unlocked the dollars and gave Kiosk Kev a visit at the Outback Shack. After their fellow camp mates successfully answered the question, Martin and Kelly returned to camp with some chocolate Jazzies!
Martin candidly opens up about having a brain tumour
During a chat with his camp mates, Martin candidly spoke about having surgery in 1995 to remove two brain tumours, after discovering a lump on his head whilst filming a show in Canada. He said: "For a while I lost everything. I couldn't walk, couldn't talk, I couldn't see in one eye. I was a train wreck afterwards. Now I have a few little bits and pieces, and one of them is dyslexia.
"One minute I was fitter and healthier than I'd ever been in my life. Next minute, I was in a mess. It was a bit like being in a car crash, I thought I was dying. It was a tough one."
Martin is made camp chef
Following the arrival of late comers Tom and Vogue, who were made camp leaders, Martin was made camp chef alongside Kelly!
Martin takes on his first Bushtucker trial
Alongside Alex Scott, Shona McGarty and Jack Osbourne, Martin had his first taste of a Bushtucker Trial in the form of The Dreaded Dunnies! Smashing it, Martin and the gang won all 12 stars with time spare!
Aitch selects Martin for wood duty
After Aitch was made the new camp leader, he was tasked with dishing out new roles to the campmates. Relieving himself of his cooking duties, Aitch assigned Martin to wood-collecting duty.
Martin takes on Lisa in the Rivals challenge
When the celebs were told they'd go head-to-head with another campmate to earn their place in the new luxury camp 'Win City', Martin was paired with fellow soap star, Lisa Riley. Unfortunately for Martin, he lost after failing to find the stars in a tank of slime of fish guts faster than Lisa. He was then sent to 'Doomsville' alongside other campmates who lost their tasks.
Martin and Lisa go head-to-head in Cocktails of Cruelty
Following a six-year hiatus, the live trials made a return to I'm A Celeb this year as part of the Rivals format. Martin was once again up against Lisa Riley, with the pair having to drink an awful concoction in a trial called Cocktails of Cruelty. Martin had to drink fermented fish and fish eyes, while Lisa had to down vomit fruit and fermented duck egg. Unfortunately for Martin, Lisa managed to down the entire drink before he was just half-way through, meaning he would face the first vote off.
Martin opens up about his love for wife Shirlie
During emotional chats in camp, Martin spoke about his love for his wife Shirlie. In the Bush Telegraph, Martin said: "There is a certain bedrock to a relationship and that is called friendship, and love will only come out of that if you look after that friendship. Shirlie's everything for me. Everything that I do in my life, I do it for her."
Martin gets put on dunny duty!
Perhaps not his best moment in the jungle! When Shona was made new camp leader, she chose Martin to be on dunny duty alongside Eddie!
Martin gets emotional after receiving his letter from home
The camp mates were given the opportunity to win letters from home at the start of the final week, but it was bad news for Jack Osbourne, as he was the only celeb not to receive his letter. Martin got emotional hearing his letter from his wife Shirley and his son Roman, where they expressed how proud they are of him.
Martin performs 'Gold' at The Jungle Arms
After The Jungle Arms opened its doors for another year, Martin and the rest of the camp enjoyed themselves with fish and chips, alcohol, and a karaoke machine. Martin stepped up to perform Spandau Ballet's hit 'Gold', with a little help from Lisa Riley. You can watch his performance right here.
Martin takes on Bushtucker Trial Lethal Library
Martin nominated himself alongside Tom Read Wilson for a Bushtucker Trial called Lethal Library! During the trial, Martin was covered in critters and stinging ants as he passed on information to Tom, who had to find the books in a very messy library. The pair managed five stars out of seven, with Martin telling Ant and Dec: "We might not have a full bag, but we have full hearts."
And sings 'The Bare Necessities' with Ant and Dec
During the trial, Martin gave a rendition of 'The Bare Necessities' from The Jungle Book with Ant and Dec, leaving fans in stitches.
Martin leaves camp
After an incredible journey, Martin became the sixth celebrity to be evicted from camp, narrowly missing out on the top five!
Martin reflects on his time in camp
Speaking to Ant and Dec during his exit interview, Martin reflected on his amazing journey, saying: "Coming out now, I feel like I've done everything I want to do, experienced it and I can walk out with some brilliant anecdotes."
Martin reunites with wife Shirlie
After walking over the bridge, Martin was greeted by his beloved wife Shirlie, with the pair sharing some hugs and kisses before posing for a lovely photo!
How can I watch Martin on I'm A Celeb?
I'm A Celeb airs every night on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm. You can also catch up on episodes on ITVX.
How can I listen to Martin on Greatest Hits Radio?
When he's back from the jungle, listen to The Mix Tape with Martin Kemp on Greatest Hits Radio every Friday and Saturday from 7pm.
You can also listen to Martin on Greatest Hits Radio 80s every Saturday from 7pm, for his 80s mixtape!