In a shocking twist that left fans reeling and campmates shattered, Martin Kemp’s exit from *I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* has been branded a “wrong elimination” by heartbroken viewers. The Spandau Ballet icon, 64, became the sixth star to bid farewell to the Australian jungle on Thursday’s explosive episode, sending ripples of devastation through the camp. But no one felt the blow harder than EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, who collapsed in tears, confessing a deeply personal “painful truth” that turned the vote into an emotional gut-punch.
I’m A Celebrity ‘s Shona McGarty broke down in tears as Martin Kemp left the camp on Friday’s episode of the ITV show
On Thursday’s instalment of the programme, the Spandau Ballet star Martin, 64, was announced as the sixth famous face to be voted out of the competition
As the news hit like a thunderbolt, the remaining celebrities grappled with the loss of their calm, steady presence. A visibly gutted Tom Read Wilson, 39, didn’t hold back: “I can’t pretend that I’m not heartbroken that it’s Martin leaving.” The camp fell into a somber hush as Martin waved goodbye, his departure etching lines of sorrow on every face. Yet it was Shona, 34, who crumbled under the weight of it all. Walking back into camp without him, the soap star—famous for her role as Whitney Dean on *EastEnders*—couldn’t contain her floods of tears. Her fellow celebs rallied around her, offering hugs and words of comfort as she navigated the raw aftermath.
In a vulnerable moment captured in the Bush Telegraph, Shona laid bare her heartache: “When Martin left, I really didn’t want him to go. I know it sounds a bit weird, but he really does remind me of my dad.” This poignant revelation struck a chord with audiences, transforming what could have been just another elimination into a profoundly human story of unexpected bonds and hidden vulnerabilities. Fans online erupted, questioning the public’s vote and dubbing it a “wrong elimination” for robbing the show of such genuine connections too soon.
For Martin, the jungle exit was a sweet release after 20 grueling days. Emerging onto the iconic *I’m A Celebrity* bridge, he was met by his wife of 40 years, Shirlie Kemp, 63—the former Pepsi & Shirlie singer who had jetted to Australia to stand by her man. Previous evictees had whispered messages to Shirlie that Martin was “desperate” to reunite with her, and their emotional embrace proved it. Chatting with hosts Ant and Dec, Martin reflected on his wild ride: “I have dreamt about this moment. It’s just a weird trip. I loved just sitting around and talking with the others. I’m not one for making new friends, and this is the first time I’ve done it in years—I absolutely loved it.”
He added with a grin, “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. I wasn’t one of those guys dancing and singing; I just brought a calm energy.” Martin’s stint even included a late-game Bushtucker trial twist. Earlier in the episode, fans were stunned when he finally left camp for the “Lethal Libraries” challenge alongside Tom. But as presenter Vogue Williams spilled on a live stream, Martin had been secretly exempt from some trials—leaving Tom to shoulder the snake-infested bookshelf rummage while Martin tackled questions. It was a revelation that added fuel to the “wrong elimination” fire, with viewers wondering if more trials could have kept him in the game longer.
Martin’s son, Roman Kemp—who snagged third place in the 2019 series behind winner Jacqueline Jossa—couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at his dad’s earlier exit. Posting on X with a playful “Oh noooo,” Roman quickly sweetened it: “Love him and love that some of you have seen a snapshot of the man I aspire to be! We’ve had some great laughs on here. Tom for the win #ImACelebrity.” Martin himself chuckled about not beating Roman’s placement: “I’m still glad I didn’t beat my son’s spot on the show.”
As the jungle dust settles, Martin’s departure has left an indelible mark—a reminder that in the wild world of *I’m A Celebrity*, it’s not just about survival, but the unbreakable ties formed in the fire. With Shona’s tears echoing the sentiment of fans everywhere, one thing’s clear: this elimination felt all kinds of wrong. Who will be next to face the vote? Stay tuned for more jungle drama!