Spandau Ballet stars reunited with Rhys Thomas

Gary and Martin Kemp have today started shooting a follow-up to their BBC Two mockumentary The Kemps: All True.

The Spandau Ballet stars have reunited with comedian and writer Rhys Thomas on the new show. 

Gary tweeted the cover of the script – entitled simply The Kemps II – this morning, saying: ‘And so it begins…’

And so it begins…
Day 1 filming… The Kemps II @RhysThomasOBE @realmartinkemp #thekempsalltrue #sequel pic.twitter.com/M9AYUNl6SL

— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) March 7, 2023

It comes three years after the first mocumentary which showed the brothers running a retirement home for pop stars, collaborating with the likes of Sia (Lucy Montgomery) and Rag and Bone Man (Tony Way), and launching the vegan meat substitute, Wonge.

Other guest performers included Simon Day –  Thomas’s collaborator on the Brian Pern programmes – Lucy Montgomery, Anna Maxwell Martin, Daniel Mays, Tony Way and Martin's real-life wife Shirlie.

Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley was not part of the project, telling The Sun that: ‘I wasn't approached and would not have anything to do with it. I'm done. I'd rather be happy on my own than be in that band again.’

The sequel is being made by BBC Studios, and will air later this year to BBC Two and iPlayer.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘The rumours are True. Gary and Martin Kemp return for more television Gold, as filming begins today on a follow up their 2020’s mockumentary.’

Montgomery – Thomas’s wife and co-writer of their hit children's television series Dodger – provided additional material for The Kemps II.

The Kemps: All True is available to view on BBC iPlayer.

Published: 7 Mar 2023