MARTIN KEMP - True : Autobiography of Martin Kemp

London England, Orion, 2000. Fifth Impression, Binding: Boards, Very Good/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall 0752832646 Hardback Martin Kemp has made a speciality of playing hard men. Over the last ten years sometimes child actor and star of '80s band Spandau Ballet played gangster Reggie Kray (Charlie Kray asked Martin to punch out one of his ex-gangland adversaries on set, he declined) and now he's EastEnders tough guy Steve Owen. But introduce yourself to Martin Kemp outside a film or TV set and you'll find he's one of the most friendly and charming men you could possibly meet. Fame's not a thing that lays heavily on Martin Kemp, it never has, even less so since he had a brain tumour removed in 1995. Something like that tends to put life into perspective. Born on October 10, 1961 in Essex Road, a working area of Islington - yes there was, and still is, one - by the age of six he was attending the now famous Anna Scher Children's Theatre which just happened to open 'over the road' and by the age of ten he was appearing regularly on television. In 1979 his older brother Gary formed New Romatic band Spandau Ballet. Martin was not involved but desperately wanted to join. It was in 1995 that the bombshell dropped. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour - all those headaches weren't just down to too much booze and too many late nights. Following surgery he spent two years recuperating, looking at what he had done during his life and what he wanted to do. And, gently he began writing this book. Tiny close tear to top of D/J. at back.