Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp chatted to Ronan Keating and Harriet Scott on their Magic Radio Breakfast Show about his role as ‘bad guy’ Captain Hook in upcoming festive pantomime – Peter Pan: Christmas in Neverland.
Considering Martin’s string of villainous acting roles including Eastender’s Steve Owen, the Child Catcher in musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Reggie in The Krays, the musician admitted that he’d always placed himself as the ‘bad guy’ if he were to star in a pantomime.
Talking of his role as Captain Hook in ‘the biggest pantomime ever staged’, Martin said: “He’s the bad guy of all bad guys. It’s something I’ve always said – if I ever do pantomime the character for me is Hook.”
The musician revealed that he jumped at the chance to perform in the show as “this isn’t just a pantomime, this is a spectacular event.”
The former Spandau Ballet bass guitarist said he loves working with his panto co-star, actor and The Chase host Bradley Walsh as he is a ‘perfectionist’.
“The best thing about Bradley is he’s a perfectionist, and there’s nothing better than working with a perfectionist because it makes you lift your game.
“It’s gonna be a lot of fun, sword fighting Peter Pan as he’s floating around on a giant galleon, what’s not fun about that?”
Martin revealed working in the pantomime over Christmas is a big sacrifice but something he would never have turned down.
“It’s not like I’ve got young kids anymore, they’ve both left home and the only time we meet together is Christmas dinner, so for me working over Christmas is really lovely because it makes me feel like I’m having a proper Christmas.”