Martin Kemp's major U-turn at home with wife Shirlie as she talks 'exhausting' change

Shirlie Kemp has opened up about the "exhausting" process of renovating the garden at the Hertfordshire home she shares with her husband, Martin Kemp. The couple, who moved into their new place of residence a few years ago, have been tirelessly working on their outdoor space, and regularly share updates with the 185,000 followers they have, on an Instagram page dedicated to their renovation journey.

During a conversation with BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills, Shirlie, 63, said the renovation work had involved "blood, sweat and tears" to get it how they want it.

"I work hard on it, I mean, it's exhausting," she revealed. "I am up very, very, early what with this hot weather and the drought, and having to keep everything alive."

Shirlie provided an update about their journey, while in the studio with her bandmate Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque, who is currently living with the Kemps.

Pepsi expressed how delightful it has been to witness the couple's progress.

"I open the window and there's Martin with the hose, hosing the grass and there's Shirlie in the background in her little area," she said.

"It's idyllic and it's what they've created, it's gorgeous, there was nothing there. What they've put there is...", she trailed off before Shirlie interjected: "Blood, sweat and tears."

When asked about Martin's involvement in the garden, Shirlie disclosed that he spends "an awful lot" of time out there.

"He'll be gone for hours and hours, yeah he loves it," she informed Scott.

Last year, Martin confessed he had made a U-turn about his approach to gardening, having previously considered it "a chore".

In an interview with County Living Magazine, the former EastEnders actor revealed: "Pruning that tree or raking those leaves is like a meditation.

"It's all I think about. I head out in the morning and, the next thing I know, I'm getting called in for dinner."

Martin further shared that he has drawn inspiration from Gardeners' World for their outdoor space, learning the do's and don'ts along the way.

In their most recent Instagram update, the couple showcased the vegetables they had grown in their garden.

Alongside a photo of tomatoes, carrots and courgettes, they penned: "It's been great to have the space to grow veg this year and so lovely to be able to walk-in to the garden and pick it all.

"We have learnt a lot, especially what not to do, it was our first proper veggie patch so we were very excited to make sure it was abundant with veg.

"But in our excitement we over planted and didn't create enough space between each veg, but it looked stunning especially the kale and cabbages with their gigantic, jungle like leaves.

"My favourite thing are the courgettes easy to grow and easy to cook."