Roman Kemp opens up about godfather George Michael during chat with Kate Garraway

19 November 2019, 10:56

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Roman Kemp opened up about his late godfather George Michael during a jungle chat with Smooth Radio's Kate Garraway.

The 26-year-old radio DJ on Smooth's sister station Capital revealed George even gatecrashed his mum Shirlie Holliman's first date with dad Martin Kemp.

Kate and Roman were discussing interviewing high profile celebrities when conversation soon turned to Spandau Ballet star Martin - as Kate revealed she used to have a poster of him on her wall.

Read more: Who is Roman Kemp? I'm A Celebrity 2019 star's age, girlfriend, Instagram and more

Kate smiled: "I really love your dad. I don't know if I've ever told him. He was my absolute favourite."

Roman's mum Shirlie was part of Wham! and the radio host went on to explain how Andrew Ridgely was her first boyfriend.

He said: "My mum's first boyfriend was Andrew Ridgely. To my knowledge, my mum's only ever kissed two people in her life.

Read more: Kate Garraway's interview with Andrew Ridgeley

"My mother always said that she said to George Michael at a party that she was going to marry him [Martin].

"They were at some party and she didn't want to speak to him [Martin] and one of George's friends brought him over and they started talking and my dad gave my mum his phone number and my mum went back to George's house and George forced my mum to call him."

Delving further, Roman told Kate that George had gatecrashed their first date, adding: "But their first date, George went with them. My mum didn't want to go on her own. They went to see Sade at the Camden Palace. My dad spent the whole date trying to get rid of him."

Gushing about George, Roman continued: "He was an amazing guy. He was my uncle. You'd see him at dinners, Christmas, the lot. It is really nice that all the memories I have are so nice, going on holidays, and having my parents compete with Christmas presents.

"One year, I must have been four or five and my dad bought me a bike, a Raleigh bike.

Read more: Kate Garraway reveals her biggest I'm A Celebrity fears

"I remember George came round to the house and brought in my present and he'd gone to Harrods and bought one of those electric cars but not just that, it was a Batmobile. I've still got it.

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