For much of this season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, viewers couldn’t help but notice something unusual about Martin Kemp’s journey in camp. The former pop icon, once known for commanding stages and spotlights, seemed to drift quietly in the background as younger contestants stole the headlines.
Now, Martin has finally revealed the deeply personal reason why.
And it’s far more emotional — and selfless — than anyone expected.
He chose to step back. On purpose.
Not because he was struggling.
Not because he lacked the drive.
But because he wanted the younger generation to shine.
“I’m at the end of my career,” Martin admitted softly. “They’re only just beginning…”
“I Slowed Down So They Could Move Forward”
Reflecting on his deliberately low-key presence in camp, Martin explained that he became increasingly aware of the contrast between himself and his younger campmates.
“I honestly feel like I’m at the tail end of my career,” he said. “I’ve slowed down a bit. And those younger ones? They’re right at the very beginning. So why wouldn’t I step aside and let them take the lead?”
Rather than fighting for airtime or chasing moments in the spotlight, Martin made a conscious decision to pull back — creating space for the next generation to rise.
And according to him, the younger contestants were impossible not to root for.
“They’re full of fire. Full of ambition,” he said. “They’re hungry for it in the way you only are when you’re just starting out.”
Martin added that screen time in a show as huge as I’m A Celebrity can be career-defining — and he wanted to give that gift to others.
“That exposure can change their lives. And I wanted them to have that chance.”
+13View galleryMartin Kemp looked far from disappointed to be the latest celebrity evicted from the jungle as he arrived at a luxury hotel after his I’m A Celebrity departure
+13View galleryThe former Spandau Ballet star smiled for the cameras, having shaved off his scraggy jungle beard, after arriving at the swanky Marriott Hotel in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia
A Decision That Changed the Shape of the Final
In a twist that now feels almost poetic, Martin’s decision to quietly step back may have helped shape the very future of the series.
The two youngest contestants in camp — AngryGinge, 24, and Aitch, 25 — are now the strongest contenders for the jungle crown, dominating bookmaker predictions and public support.
What once looked like coincidence now feels like perfect timing.
The man who once stood at the top of the charts chose to step aside… just as a new generation surged forward.
A Legacy Written in Restraint, Not Ego
In a world where fame is usually fought for at all costs, Martin Kemp’s revelation has struck a powerful chord with fans.
There were no grand announcements.
No dramatic farewells.
Just a quiet, deliberate choice:
To move out of the spotlight…
So someone else could step into it.
And as the final draws closer — with the youngest stars now leading the race — one thing feels clear:
Sometimes, the most powerful move isn’t stepping forward.
It’s stepping aside.