‘You never know what’s around the corner’

<p>Actor and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, 59, lives in Hertfordshire with his singer wife Shirlie, 58. Here, he talks mental health, gym therapy and being a good dad…</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/martin-kemp__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>How has your life been most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic?</h2><p>Work is busier, but socially, things have slowed down. I hope the good things to come out of the pandemic will stick, such as more hand-washing and perspex sheets between the tables when we can go back to eating out at restaurants. Before [Covid-19], I&rsquo;d be out for dinner with Shirlie and she&rsquo;d be off in another world listening to the conversation from the next table!</p><h2>How do you inject positivity into your life?</h2><p>Exercising helps. I put my headphones in, listen to a bit of AC/DC and work out for an hour. It&rsquo;s escapism &ndash; your own space and your own time.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="listen__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/listen__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Who has taught you the most valuable life lesson over the years?</h2><p>Anna Scher, my drama teacher when I was a kid. My mum and dad put me into Anna&rsquo;s drama club in Islington &ndash; 10p a lesson &ndash; because I was painfully shy. She changed my life. She&rsquo;d say, ‘Always be professional and always be punctual&rsquo;. That&rsquo;s stayed with me forever.</p><h2>Who or what makes you feel most happy?</h2><p>Being welcomed home by my dogs [Popsey and Iris]. I love that their lives are so simple. Being with them makes me forget about everything.</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="loving_relationship__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/loving_relationship__square_GL?scl=1"></h2><h2>Did surviving two brain tumours in the 1980s teach you to embrace the now?</h2><p>The lasting lesson from the tumours was that you never know what&rsquo;s around the corner. Life was great &ndash; I&rsquo;d done Spandau and was working in Hollywood. But it can all change in a flash. Once you learn to appreciate that, you appreciate life. </p><h2>Are you an advocate of therapy?</h2><p>Yes! Talking to people is the most important thing and if you can&rsquo;t afford therapy, try and find someone you trust. Talking is one of the best things you can do.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="talk_it_out__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/talk_it_out__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Martin's 5 tips for parenting well...</h2><p><strong>1. Listen </strong></p><p>Sometimes you have to accept that their opinion is right and yours isn&rsquo;t. We can learn from our children.</p><p><strong>2. Talk it out </strong></p><p>Having conversations with your kids is so much better than punishment.</p><p><strong>3. Make food interesting </strong></p><p>We get into a rut of cooking where we always put the same food down in front of children. Switch it up!</p><p><strong>4. Encourage their passions </strong></p><p>We showed our kids everything out there &ndash; karate, drama, singing &ndash; to help them find what they loved.</p><p><strong>5. Model a loving relationship </strong></p><p>Don&rsquo;t be afraid to show you love your partner in front of your children.</p><p><em><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/hardback-books/hardback-shirlie-and-martin-kemp-its-a-love-story-martin-kemp/1000262322138" target="_blank">It's a Love Story by Shirlie and Martin Kemp</a> (Mirror Books), is availble in store and online now, £10!</em></p>

Martin Kemp shares his top 5 parenting tips

By Asda Good Living,29th January 2021

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