It  was a family affair for TV personalities Martin and Roman Kemp who visited the shores of West Cork last week while filming their new series.

The father-and-son duo were in the area for an upcoming Channel 4 programme about their Irish heritage with a working title of Kemps in Ireland. The series follows them around the country, retracing family links and meeting locals along the way.

Last Saturday, the filming schedule saw them explore the ocean with Atlantic Sea Kayaking before stopping for a coffee break and taking in the scenery at Reen Pier, Union Hall. Áine Deasy, owner of Reen Coffee Cup, said the pair were lovely, very friendly people who loved the chats and craic over a few toasties and homemade soup.

‘Both Martin and his son Roman couldn’t get over the place and its beauty, a little hidden paradise. They were so thankful for us being there and they were able to relax and enjoy their coffee looking at the beautiful Castlehaven Bay. We treated them like normal people, which I think they were grateful for,’ said Áine.

Katie McCarthy, manager of Reen Coffee Cup, added: ‘They enjoyed our home baking so much they even took a box of cinnamon rolls with them for the road. Thanks to Jim and Maria Kennedy for making this happen.’ Jim Kennedy, of Atlantic Sea Kayaking, said: ‘We got Martin, Roman and the crew into the kayaks and they were with us for four hours. They loved it and thought the place was amazing. We had a beautiful sunny few hours.’

He added: ‘They were really fascinated and knew quite a lot about their Irish connection. They were both were very easy to talk to and enjoyed the craic.’

Earlier that day, local history expert and co-founder of eco adventure company Gormú, Conor Ó Buachalla, gave the TV personalities a tour of Drombeg Stone Circle, also filling them in on the local significance of the Celtic tale of Clíonadhna’s Wave. The West Cork businesses teamed up to host the Kemps and their TV crew as part of West Cork Development Partnership’s clustering initiative with Fáilte Ireland. The film crew also dropped into the Whale’s Tail restaurant in Clonakilty last weekend.

Martin Kemp first found fame as the bassist of Spandau Ballet, before turning to acting, most famously as Steve Owen in EastEnders. BBC radio and TV broadcaster Roman has won countless fans for his open discussion around the topic of male mental health.

Both have become British TV mainstays, with appearances in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Celebrity Gogglebox and Roman’s recent win on Celebrity Race Across The World alongside his sister Harleymoon. Kemps in Ireland, produced by Rock Oyster Media, is due to hit TV screens later this year.