Roman Kemp hinted at Capital exit as health worsened after terrifying diagnosis

19 February 2024 , 10:16

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Roman Kemp warned his health condition could mean the end of his early starts in radio

Roman Kemp is set to call it a day with Capital FM after battling with a frightening health issue.

The breakfast show host revealed this morning that he will leave the programme in the coming weeks after more than eight years. "It's been the funniest, the saddest, the most outright wild time that I've had being a part of Capital and the Global family and when you set out to do a job of this magnitude, you never think that one day there will be a moment where you have to say goodbye. You don't think that that time will come," he declared.

The 30-year-old admitted the decision didn't come lightly, and said he is going to find his eventual departure "tough". He went on to reveal that after almost a decade of super early alarms, he's "looking forward to some lie-ins." He added: "It's been a privilege and an honour to wake up millions of people every day."

Roman Kemp wanted to achieve 10 years in radio before he quit (ITV)

His difficult decision comes after he toyed with the idea of leaving his radio job due to a serious health concern, which he has suffered from throughout the majority of his showbiz career. In 2022, the radio host revealed his plans to quit his busy job within five years after receiving a devastating diagnosis caused by his hectic work schedule.

He opened up about walking away from the limelight after being diagnosed with sleep apnoea - a condition which causes a person's breathing to stop and start while sleeping. The disorder has even led to the star having to wear an oxygen mask at night time.

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Speaking to Mail Online, the presenter who has dealt with five years of demanding early starts for his show, said: "My tiredness levels were debilitating, and they said to me it was because of my job and I said this is different. I was talking with people where I thought I was verging on narcolepsy because I was mid-conversation and would be snoring and not realising, it was very strange.

"The doctors told me I must wear an oxygen mask. There is absolutely nothing sexy about going back to Roman Kemp's house." He then joked: "They are expecting candles and mood lighting but they're getting a Darth Vader impression into an oxygen tank," and quipped that his love life could make a brilliant documentary for the likes of Channel 5.

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Referencing friend and former Radio 1 Breakfast host Nick Grimshaw, Roman said he had been forced to take a long, hard look at his lifestyle.

"I am so jealous of Nick's life now because he's having so much fun, he's doing whatever he wants, he looks so happy, and he looks healthy. I can see the benefits of not doing a radio show," he continued.

"I have needed to take a realistic look at it and ask myself, 'is this life making me happy? Is it making me healthy?' I am constantly trying to deal with that."

His plans away from the spotlight revolve around becoming a stay-at-home dad and opening up a dog sanctuary, as he insisted he never wanted to be famous. However, his goal was always to reach 10 years in the industry. "I want a decade on air at least," he added. "I would love to be able to say I did a decade on that show – whether my bosses will allow that I don't know."

Roman Kemp has been diagnosed with sleep apnoea

Meanwhile, the Capital Breakfast show host, who is the son of Spandau Ballet's Martin, has made a name for himself by encouraging others to seek help amid the country's mental health crisis. He has fronted a number of shows about the issue, including his BBC Three documentary that aired last year, Roman Kemp: The Fight for Young Lives.

When his close friend Joe Lyons, a producer at Global Radio for nine years, took his own life in August 2020, a heartbroken Roman bravely spoke about the power of friends looking out for one another live on air. He has called for men in particular to not be shy of talking after he revealed his disappointment over having no idea anything was wrong with his late pal.

He candidly confessed in a discussion on This Morning: "If I had been [a hero] he would be here. I want people to be a hero to their friend like I know I wasn't to mine. It's okay to look at yourself and think what more could I have done". Roman, who wrote the memoir Are You Really OK? also battled depression from his teenage years and previously said his mother suggested he see a doctor at 15.

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He too contemplated taking his life in 2019 when he struggled with pressures and heard 'lots of voices'. But found that listening to superstar Ed Sheeran helped him out of the dark period. In an interview with The Mirror, he said: "Ed told me there's dirty water at the top and the more you let it flow it turns into clear water. Each time I speak about how I feel, the water gets clearer."

Roman joined Capital in 2014 before hosting the prestigious The Capital Evening Show in 2016. In 2017 he moved to Capital Breakfast and took the show nationwide in 2019.

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at [email protected]

Saffron Otter