Just days after a shocking chainsaw accident left his hand badly injured, Martin Kemp took to the decks at Lincoln Cathedral on October 25, 2025 — fingers wrapped, grin wide, and crowd cheering. The 64-year-old Martin Kemp, founding bassist of the iconic 1980s band Spandau Ballet, didn’t miss a beat — literally — despite picking up a running chainsaw by the blade on October 17, 2025, at his family home in the UK. The result? Severe lacerations to multiple fingers, a bandaged hand, and a viral moment that turned a household mishap into a public story of grit and humor.
One Day Later, He Was Back on Stage
The accident happened on a Friday afternoon, just hours before Kemp was scheduled to perform at the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby, Wales. He showed up anyway. Fans noticed immediately. One wrote on social media: "Hope the hand is feeling better today, Martin." Another joked: "Chainsaw 1 v Martin 0. Rest up that hand – see you next weekend." He didn’t rest. He played. And he didn’t mention the accident onstage. Not then.It wasn’t until a full week later — on October 24 — that Kemp broke his silence. In a short, shaky video posted to Twitter, he held up his hand, swaddled in gauze and tape. "I am a lot better now, just to let you know if you are worried," he said. The next day, on Instagram, he added more: "You might have seen in the paper that I had a terrible accident with a chainsaw, which I did... I’m a lot better now... it is still on [the Lincoln gig]. I appreciate your concerns. Listen, it’s getting better by the minute."
Family, Fans, and the WhatsApp "Yep...Chainsaw!!!"
The first public hint came from his son, Roman Kemp, 31, the high-profile host of Capital Breakfast on Global Media & Entertainment Ltd.. On October 21, during his podcast "You About?", Roman revealed his father’s condition: "All his fingers are heavily strapped up. All he writes in the family WhatsApp group is ‘Yep…Chainsaw!!!’" The message, blunt and darkly funny, sparked a flood of worried replies from Roman and his sister, Harley Moon Kemp, who was born on the very day her father had the accident — October 17, 2005.That date — October 17 — was no coincidence. It was also the day Martin’s wife, Shirlie Kemp, the former Wham! backing vocalist, turned 64. The family had been planning a quiet weekend. Instead, they got a chainsaw emergency. "It was supposed to be a nice day cutting wood," a source close to the family told Hello Magazine. "Now it’s a legend."
Why a "Terrible" Accident Wasn’t Life-Threatening
Despite being called a "terrible chainsaw accident" by The Independent and others, the injury was not life-threatening. No hospitalization. No surgery. Just a lot of bandaging, painkillers, and a lesson learned — the hard way. The accident occurred during routine yard work at the Kemp family residence, which remains undisclosed. Reports suggest he misjudged the blade’s momentum, grabbing it instinctively instead of letting go — a common but dangerous mistake even among experienced DIYers.What made it newsworthy wasn’t the severity — it was the timing, the personality, and the defiance. Here’s a man who helped define the sound of the 1980s with hits like "True" and "Gold," and who, at 64, still tours as a DJ. He didn’t cancel. He didn’t hide. He posted a video with a shrug and a smile. "I will explain how it happened another time," he wrote. That’s classic Kemp: understated, resilient, and unapologetically human.
What This Says About Aging, Work, and Identity
Kemp’s response resonates beyond celebrity gossip. It speaks to a quiet cultural shift: older artists aren’t retiring quietly. They’re still fixing fences, DJing cathedrals, and making mistakes. He didn’t need to perform after the accident. But he did — because music isn’t just a job for him. It’s identity. His father, a former Royal Marine, once told him: "If you’re not dead, you’re not done." That philosophy still runs through him.And it’s not just him. Think of Paul McCartney playing stadiums at 82, or Dolly Parton still releasing albums. Age doesn’t mean slowing down — it means adapting. Kemp’s hand might be taped up, but his spirit? Still spinning.
What’s Next?
Kemp’s next scheduled DJ set is in Manchester on November 8, 2025. His team says he’s "on track" for full recovery. He’s already planning to return to the studio in early 2026 to record a new solo project — possibly inspired by the accident. "I’ve got a song called ‘Chainsaw Blues’ in my head," he told a friend. "It’s got a good beat. And a warning."Meanwhile, safety experts are using his case as a cautionary tale. "Never grab a running chainsaw," says UK Chainsaw Safety Council spokesperson David Rimmer. "Even experienced users make this mistake. It’s the #1 cause of hand injuries in DIY. If you feel it slipping — let go. Your fingers matter more than the log."
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious were Martin Kemp’s injuries?
Martin Kemp suffered significant lacerations to multiple fingers but avoided hospitalization or surgery. He required bandaging and strapping, and while he described it as a "terrible" accident, medical sources indicate the injuries were deep but not life-threatening. He returned to public appearances within 24 hours, suggesting the damage was localized and not nerve-damaging.
Why did Martin Kemp perform so soon after the accident?
Kemp has spent decades performing live, and for him, music is deeply tied to identity and discipline. Canceling a gig — especially one already promoted — goes against his work ethic. He also wanted to reassure fans directly, rather than let rumors spiral. His decision reflects a generation of artists who see performance as duty, not just entertainment.
What role did Roman Kemp play in bringing attention to the accident?
Roman Kemp first publicly confirmed the incident on his podcast "You About?" on October 21, 2025, sharing the family’s WhatsApp exchange where Martin simply wrote "Yep...Chainsaw!!!" His disclosure prompted media outlets to investigate, leading to the wider public update. Roman’s position as a mainstream radio host amplified the story beyond fan circles into national news.
Is Martin Kemp still performing after the accident?
Yes. He performed at Lincoln Cathedral on October 25, 2025, and has confirmed his next DJ set in Manchester on November 8, 2025. His team says he’s recovering well and plans to return to studio work in early 2026. He’s even joked about writing a song called "Chainsaw Blues," suggesting he’s turning the incident into creative fuel.
What’s the connection between this accident and Spandau Ballet?
While the accident is unrelated to the band’s 1980s heyday, it underscores Kemp’s enduring public presence. Spandau Ballet’s legacy lives through his solo DJ career, which keeps him connected to fans who grew up with "True" and "Gold." This incident, like his music, blends vulnerability with resilience — a trait that made him a star then and still makes him relatable now.
Did Martin Kemp ever explain how exactly the accident happened?
As of October 27, 2025, Kemp has not given a full public account of the incident beyond confirming he picked up the chainsaw by the blade. He’s promised to explain "another time," suggesting he may share more in a future interview or social media post. For now, the details remain private — but the lesson is clear: never grab a running blade.