Roman Kemp has tearfully opened up about feeling like he “didn’t want to be here anymore” during a dark period in his life, with his mum rushing over to be with him
Roman Kemp has spoken about the moment that his sister Harleymoon and mum Shirlie “saved his life” after he admitted that he “didn’t want to be here anymore”. The TV presenter, 32, reflected on the dark period in tonight’s episode of Celebrity Race Across the World, which he’s competing on with Harleymoon.
The sibling duo are trekking from Mexico to Columbia in the series, while competing against presenter Anita Rani and her dad Bal, Derry Girls’ Dylan Llewellyn and his mum Jackie, and radio host Tyler West and his now-fiancée Molly Rainford.
After making it to Mandungua in Panama in tonight’s episode, Roman said that the landscape showed him that “there’s stuff worth living for”. Speaking to the camera, he said: “There’s been moments in my life where I didn’t even want to be here anymore and things like this make me think that if I’d made different decisions then I would never have seen this or I never would have experienced this.”
He continued: “It was a bad time in my life. I remember one moment in particular where it was really bad.
“I just remember my mum passing the phone to Harley and Harley trying to just talk to me to try and distract me and keep me on the phone so that my mum could get in the car and drive to me. I don’t think I have ever spoken to Harley about that call. I don’t think we’ve ever been ready to have that conversation. That’s hard to talk about man.”
Breaking down on camera, Roman admitted that his mum and sister may have stopped him from ending his life. “What I do know is that conversation between my mum and Harley might have saved my life on that day,” he said, through tears.
Speaking to Harley on the beach, Roman thanked her for helping him that day. “I’ve had moments in my life where I didn’t really want to be here anymore. It’s just hard because we had that day where it was really bad for me.
“The more that I think about it and that it was you on the phone to me until mum got there, I can’t even remember what the conversation was but I knew I was safe if I stayed on the phone. And I feel bad because I never really said thanks for that.”
While an emotional Harley told Roman that she just wanted him to be ok, Roman said: “I appreciate that so much. I’m so sorry that I put you guys through that.”
Speaking to the cameras afterwards, Harley said: “When someone has had episodes of really bad mental health, I think you’ll always worry about them. I was worried about him coming out here and he’s really turned it around and he’s doing great. I’m really proud of him.”
Roman has been open about his mental health struggles in the past, revealing that he’s suffered with depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) throughout his life.
The presenter’s dad, Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp, is currently taking part in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, with Roman cheering him on from the UK. Taking to social media, Roman said that his dad will be “really chuffed” about making new friends in camp.
“One thing I have noticed is my dad keeps saying ‘my new friends’. He genuinely doesn’t have mates so he means it, he’ll really be chuffed. Again not being mean, that’s the truth,” he wrote on X.
*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
Celebrity Race Across the World continues next week at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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