28 March 2024 , 10:58
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Roman Kemp previously considered leaving showbiz altogether after receiving a terrifying health diagnosis.
The radio host and TV presenter, 31, has marked his final day at Global Radio today after 10 incredible years on the Breakfast show. Throughout the last decade on Capital FM, Roman has experienced a lot of highs on air and some very dark times off-air.
Following the tragic death of his best friend and colleague, Joe Lyons, Roman has laid bare his own mental health issues in a bid to break the taboo of suicide in young males. As well as battling depression, the presenter has struggled with his physical health after being diagnosed with a debilitating condition.
In his emotional farewell speech this morning, Roman touched on the battles he's endured away from cameras. He said: "There have been moments where my life outside of this room has been the worst thing ever." But he shared how much joy work has brought him and directly thanked listeners: "You have no idea how much you have helped me."
Roman announced the shock news that he would be quitting his radio show in February and admitted the decision didn't come lightly. He revealed that after almost 10 years of super early alarms, he is "looking forward to some lie-ins". It came after the star received a devastating diagnosis of sleep apnoea, caused by his hectic work schedule, in 2022.
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Opening up about the condition, which causes a person's breathing to stop and start while sleeping, Roman revealed he had needed to wear an oxygen mask at night time. 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.
Roman previously said he always intended to have a decade on air, and has always set out to retire at a young age. 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 chose his career for fame.
"The reason I work, and my agent knows this, and my mum and dad know this, the only reason I'm doing it is because I want to retire as a young person," he added. "'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."