The musician-turned-actor talked about death with his TV presenter son on their podcast – and even went far as to request him to fulfil his dying wish
Martin Kemp, whose life has been a whirlwind of 80s pop fame with Spandau Ballet, 90s silver screen stardom in The Krays and a constant presence on EastEnders in the early 2000s, is all about having honest conversations with his son Roman.
The musician-turned-actor believes in being completely open with his youngest child on topics such as sex, but now they broached their darkest subject yet: death.
On their father-and-son podcast FFS, My Dad Is Martin Kemp, the elder Kemp stated that should the moment arise, he would prefer Roman to make the call on withdrawing end-of-life care over his older sister Harley Moon.
Martin dropped the bombshell, saying he’d want it that way “because you’re a man” and that Roman, 32, can “block things out more easily” than Harley Moon, 35.
Responding to the challenge that his decision seemed quite sexist, Martin clarified: “It’s not whether you’re a man or a woman. It’s who you are as a personality.”
Even if Roman’s mum, former Wham! backing singer Shirlie, was to weigh in, Martin’s stance is firm: he’d still want Roman to make the final decision, reports the Express.
Martin conceded that although it sounds difficult in theory, “when it comes to pulling the plug on someone… giving the doctor the wink and saying’ that’s enough’, you’ll know”.
When discussing the emotive topic of organ donation, Martin revealed that despite fully supporting the cause, he’s ineligible to donate because of his past medical history: “I had hepatitis back in the day. Once you’ve had any form of [hepatitis], I don’t think you can do organ donation.”
However, Martin has no doubts about the concept of organ donation.
“Once you’re dead, you’re dead,” he added. “You don’t know anything that’s going on. When I’m gone, and I’m looking back at my body, I’ll think ‘I had a f*****g great time’.”
Recalling a previous conversation with Roman, he shared his acceptance of facing death during his brain tumour ordeal at 34: “When I was 34 and I went through that brain tumour stuff I was practically resigned to the fact that I was going to die, but I was quite happy with my lot because I had lived the most incredible experiences.
“I’d lived stuff that people were dreaming about doing. Every year that I live, every month that I’m alive is like a bonus.”
Echoing his father’s sentiments, Roman also championed organ donation, saying: “Giving your brain up so some trainee doctor can learn how to save someone else’s life is a great thing.”
Unique due to his health background, Martin’s situation is different as he has managed epilepsy since the 1990s after suffering two brain tumours.
The life-saving operation he underwent at the time resulted in a metal plate replacing part of his skull, and he humorously remarked that he’ll never be able to pass through airport security unnoticed again as a consequence.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
