Broadcaster Roman Kemp has revealed that he found Celebrity Race Across The World extremely challenging, but from the show, he gained an incredible relationship with his older sister
Roman Kemp admits Celebrity Race Across The World was his most challenging job. The broadcaster appears on the BBC show alongside his sister, singer Harley Moon Kemp, 36, but took part in the programme just weeks after he came off antidepressant medication.
The One Show star, 32, has been extremely open about his mental health experiences over the years and has continued to break the taboo surrounding men’s mental health. Now, in an exclusive interview with The Mirror, he admits that his time on the show, which saw him travel across Isla Mujeres in Mexico to Colombia, was tougher than he could have ever expected.
Roman and Harley will appear alongside Derry Girls star Dylan Llewllyn and his mother Jackie, DJ Tyler West and his EastEnders star fiancée Molly Rainford and Anita Rani and her dad, Bal. “I just did Race Across The World and I think I would probably look at that as the most mental experience I’ve ever done in my life,” he told us.
The star, who is no stranger to challenges, said: “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, by far.” Bravely, Roman continued: “And doing it with no antidepressants is the hardest thing ever. I was on the verge of a panic attack constantly.” Roman started taking sertraline, an antidepressant known as an SSRI, as a teenager, as well as dealing with suicidal thoughts from the age of 15.
“But it was, it’s the best thing,” he explained. The star, who also appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with his dad, singer and EastEnders icon Martin, commented: “I think retrospectively [it’s] the best thing I have ever done because I spent ridiculous time with my sister and that’s something we never. Never did.”
Growing up, Roman found himself in the spotlight, having joined Capital FM in 2014; meanwhile, Harley, although she’s a successful musician, enjoyed a much quieter life out of the glare of the public. He says that growing up, the pair were very different to one another but also “misunderstood” each other.
“Going into this experience, I’d never told Harley that I loved her – I’ve never said that before,” Roman revealed, before adding: “I’d never said that before, I’d never just called her for a catch-up, things like that. And that’s because I felt we’re just two very different people.”
Before filming the show, Roman admits he found it “intriguing” to see what would come of his relationship with Harley. He said: “It’s something that my mum is just so proud that we are now alive. There are a lot of times when it’s dangerous. Our series is dangerous – Mexico to Colombia is no joke.
“In so many different ways, it’s one of my favourite shows. Out of all of the projects I choose to do, they’re all things I genuinely enjoy or feel an association with. I watch Race Across The World and I look at it and go ‘It looks really fun, how hard can it be’, then you go there and you’re crying on day four – it’s horrible, it’s a long time! Seven weeks!”
Roman has now branched out with the Premier League for their Together Against Suicide campaign as he continues to break down the taboo surrounding men’s mental health. This is a project he is beyond proud of.
Suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 50 and women under the age of 35. Since September 10, every match, across all 20 Premier League clubs, has proudly stood together to show their support and ensure that fans know where to turn to if they need it.
“I’m really proud of the team,” said Roman, adding: “The whole group, the Premier League, myself, Vinai Venkatesham [Chief Exec of Tottenham Hotspur], I think what we’ve been able to achieve is really good. It’s the start of the campaign. With that, it’s all about how it can carry on.
“That’s the difficult thing, the difficulty is making people realise it’s not just mental health awareness day or month. World suicide prevention day shouldn’t be a thing; it should be every day. That’s the journey we’ve got to go on. I saw an article where Jude Bellingham came out [and spoke about his own mental health] and spoke about going to therapy. Even things like that, I think, because of the narrative we set out with the Premier League – more players are seeing it and going ‘Ok, I can come forward,’ that would be amazing if more players came forward – but that was really for the fans and becoming an intervention point.”
Roman has recently been announced as Marriott Bonvoy’s official Getaway Guru in partnership with Nectar, a campaign he aligns with due to his love of travel. “I always think when it comes to what people spend their money on, is experiences,” he said, adding: “When it came around, talking about how people can build up points on their weekly shops, it’s a no-brainer. I’m always an advocate for people when they go away to realise that the experience you are buying lasts forever.”
Celebrity Race Across The World airs on BBC One and iPlayer at 8 pm tonight.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
If you need support, text Joesbuddy to 85258, where you can talk to a trained volunteer around the clock.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply