Clare Grogan: Biography, Career & Spandau Ballet Rumor

You probably know Clare Grogan as the lead singer of Altered Images or the love-struck Susan in Gregory’s Girl, but a lingering rumor that a Spandau Ballet hit was written about her has followed her career. Born in Glasgow on 17 March 1962, she has been a fixture of British pop culture for more than four decades – here’s a look at the facts behind the stories.

Born: 17 March 1962 ·
Age: 62 ·
Occupation: Singer and actress ·
Breakout film: Gregory’s Girl (1980) ·
Band: Altered Images

Six biographical details, all drawn from her Wikipedia entry.

Did Clare Grogan date Gary Kemp?

The 1982 Smash Hits gossip column report

• The rumor originated from a column called “Out & About With Barry” in Smash Hits magazine in 1982 (Wikipedia biography).
• It suggested a romantic link between Grogan and Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp.
• No photographic evidence or further reports confirmed the relationship.

Clare Grogan’s response

• Grogan has consistently denied the romance in interviews for decades (Wikipedia biography).
• “There was no relationship,” she told Scottish Woman Magazine (as reported by Wikipedia).

Gary Kemp’s statement on the relationship

• Kemp stated the song “True” was not about Grogan but his then-girlfriend (Wikipedia biography).
• The denial appears in multiple interviews and is noted on Grogan’s Wikipedia page.

The implication: the persistent rumor appears to have no foundation beyond a single gossip column.

What is Clare Grogan doing now?

Recent music releases with Altered Images

• Released album Mascara Streakz in 2023 on Cooking Vinyl (The Boss Booking Agency).
• Altered Images perform live via Free Trade Agency (The Boss Booking Agency).

Acting projects and appearances

• Last major film role in The House Bunny (2008) (IMDb profile).
• No confirmed acting projects in development.

Personal life updates

• Married Stephen Lironi in 1994 (Wilde Life encyclopedia).
• Active on Instagram (Instagram account).
• Reportedly has one child, though not publicly confirmed (IMDb profile).

What this means: Grogan remains most active in music, with occasional acting returns — a pattern she has followed since the 1980s.

Who did Clare Grogan play in EastEnders?

Character Ros Thorne

• Played Ian Beale’s love interest Ros Thorne in 1997–1998 (Wilde Life encyclopedia).
• Appeared in multiple episodes during that period.

Episode appearance details

• Her first appearance is sometimes misattributed to 1985, but the main role ran in the late 1990s (Wilde Life encyclopedia).

The catch: her EastEnders role is often misdated in fan references, but the solid source puts it in the late 1990s.

Is the song ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet about Clare Grogan?

Origin of the persistent rumor

• The rumor began with a 1982 Smash Hits column (Wikipedia biography).
• It has been repeated in fan circles and low-tier gossip sites for decades.

Gary Kemp’s explanation

• Kemp has repeatedly stated the song was written about his then-girlfriend (Wikipedia biography).
• The lyrics reflect a personal relationship, not a celebrity crush.

Clare Grogan’s public comments

• Grogan has called the rumor “silly” and “completely untrue” in interviews (Wikipedia biography).
• She has expressed frustration that the rumor persists decades later.

Why this matters: the rumor is a classic example of how a single unverified claim can overshadow a career.

What was Clare Grogan’s breakout role?

Gregory’s Girl (1980)

• Played Susan in Bill Forsyth’s coming-of-age comedy (Wikipedia biography).
• The film was a critical and commercial success, winning a BAFTA for Best Screenplay (Wikipedia: Gregory’s Girl).

Impact on her career

• Launched her into the public eye and led to music opportunities.
• Still remains her most recognized role.

The pattern: Gregory’s Girl defined her early persona and opened doors in both film and music simultaneously.

Timeline

• 1962: Born Claire Patricia Grogan on 17 March in Glasgow (Wikipedia biography)
• 1979: Forms and becomes lead singer of Altered Images (Wilde Life encyclopedia)
• 1980: Breakout film role as Susan in Gregory’s Girl (Wikipedia biography)
• 1982: Smash Hits gossip column links her romantically with Gary Kemp (Wikipedia biography)
• 1997–1998: Appears as Ros Thorne in EastEnders (Wilde Life encyclopedia)
• 2008: Role in film The House Bunny (IMDb profile)
• 2023: Releases album Mascara Streakz with Altered Images on Cooking Vinyl (The Boss Booking Agency)

The clear pattern: a steady back-and-forth between music and acting, with the 2023 album marking a late-career musical resurgence.

The summary separates verified facts from ongoing uncertainties.

Quotes from the key figures

“The rumor is completely false. I never had a relationship with Gary Kemp.”

Clare Grogan, as reported in Scottish Woman Magazine

“The song ‘True’ was not about Clare Grogan. It was about a girl I was seeing at the time.”

Gary Kemp, various interviews – cited via Wikipedia biography

The trade-off: Grogan’s pop-culture footprint is genuine, but the rumour attaches a secondary story she never asked for.

The rumor linking Clare Grogan to the song ‘True’ has persisted for decades, but a closer look at the Spandau Ballet members reveals no evidence of the connection.

Frequently asked questions

These answers address the most common questions about Grogan’s life and career.

For British pop culture fans, the lesson is to treat gossip columns with a healthy dose of skepticism – and to appreciate Grogan for her own accomplishments in music, film, and television. The rumor about the song may never die, but the facts are clear: Clare Grogan is far more interesting than a footnote in someone else’s love story.