Platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes of a porphyrin with fluorenyl groups linked directly at the meso-positions (TFP) have been synthesized and characterized. Their luminescence properties in solution have been studied under ambient conditions and at 77 K. Compared to the corresponding complexes of tetraphenylporphyrin TPP, the emission is red-shifted in both cases. Radiative rate constants are found to be enhanced by the fluorenyl substituents, although non-radiative decay rates are also increased in solution. Short-wavelength UV excitation leads to no detectable fluorenyl-based fluorescence, indicating that a very efficient transfer of energy to the porphyrin occurs. An OLED in which PtTFP is used as a red phosphor has been prepared and its electroluminescence performance assessed. High current “roll-off” is significantly delayed to higher currents compared to previously described OLEDs that make use of standard platinum porphyrins as emitters, an effect which can be attributed to the shorter radiative lifetime of PtTFP.