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George Michael searched Shirlie and Martin Kemp's house for 'EastEnders' spoilers

Amy Johnson
·Contributor
·2-min read
George Michael performs on stage during a charity gala for the benefit of Sidaction, at the Opera Garnier in Paris. (MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)
George Michael performs on stage during a charity gala for the benefit of Sidaction, at the Opera Garnier in Paris. (MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

George Michael would snoop around Martin and Shirlie Kemp's house for EastEnders spoilers to find out the storylines on the soap.

The late singer would try and locate Martin's scripts when he appeared on the show as Steve Owen from 1998 to 2002, according to the couple.

Shirlie described the Faith hitmaker as a "massive" EastEnders fan in a recent interview with The Telegraph as she disclosed his attempts to find out the soap's secrets.

Read more: George Michael remembered in London mural

"He was obsessed. He would come round to the house and open drawers, snooping about in all the rooms.

Martin Kemp and Shirlie Kemp at the Wedding reception of Jonathan Sothcott and wife Jeanine Nerissa at Hush Restaurant on September 13, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by MelMedia/Getty Images)
Martin Kemp and Shirlie Kemp at the Wedding reception of Jonathan Sothcott and wife Jeanine Nerissa at Hush Restaurant on September 13, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by MelMedia/Getty Images)

"He’d say, 'I'm just checking to see if Martin’s left any scripts lying around’," she shared.

Along with "Pepsi" DeMacque, Shirlie was part of the backing duo that frequently performed with Wham!, while she and George maintained a friendship in the years after he split from music partner Andrew Ridgeley.

George was named godfather of her and Martin's son, Roman Kemp.

Meanwhile, Martin honoured a special request from George after he asked the actor to wear one of his jumpers on the programme.

George Michael (1963 - 2016), of Wham!, pictured together with Shirlie Holliman backstage prior to performing at their farewell concert, entitled 'The Final' at Wembley Stadium in London on 28th June 1986. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
George Michael (1963 - 2016), of Wham!, pictured together with Shirlie Holliman backstage prior to performing at their farewell concert, entitled 'The Final' at Wembley Stadium in London on 28th June 1986. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

"He said it was his way of getting a walk-on part. I didn’t mention it to anyone, but I wore it in a scene [under a tracksuit] and George was delighted," Martin said.

Read more: Martin Kemp reunites with EastEnders co-star Tamzin Outhwaite

While he may not have had his own cameo, the singer was frequently name-checked on EastEnders as Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) was a superfan of the star.

One episode saw the character, who was killed off in 2012, attempt to track him down at his home.

The Careless Whisper singer died aged 53 on Christmas Day 2016 from natural causes with a coroner stating he had cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver.

Watch: George Michael’s sister dies three years following his death