TV presenter Roman Kemp previously revealed in a podcast chat that his health struggles are what really led to his decision to leave Capital FM.
Roman – currently starring on Celebrity Race Across the World – opened up on Auto Trader’s Show on the Road podcast, where he revealed the silent battle he was fighting away from the airwaves.
‘I need to look after myself’
“What led me to leave Capital? Sleep,” Roman began. He then spoke about being diagnosed with sleep apnea – a condition he didn’t fully understand until recently.
Roman described his nightly ordeal as similar to “running a half marathon in my sleep and not resting”.
This revelation about his health puts into perspective the challenges he faced while trying to juggle his dual careers in television and radio.
“Because the oxygen intake that I get in my sleep is like 20% of what you would get,” he elaborated on the severity of his condition.
“I think leaving Capital for me was a mixture of things. I’m tired. I need to look after myself a little bit,” Roman added.
Despite his successful career, the physical and emotional demands began to outweigh the rewards, prompting a tough but necessary decision.
“I was trying to spin two careers at once. One is telly and the other is radio. But, on the other hand, there have been days where I’ve felt my lowest, and the radio is the thing that has kept me going,” he reflected.
“I’ve gone through things on air that no one should ever have to go through,” he said, doubtless referring to the death of his best friend Joe Lyons. “You know, so it’s been sad leaving Capital, but I think it’s the right thing.”
Retirement plans
The star also previously spoke about his decision to retire early.
Speaking to the MailOnline in 2022, Roman confessed that he doesn’t see himself staying in the spotlight for much longer.
Roman spoke about how he wanted to do a decade hosting the Capital radio breakfast show. He said: “I want a decade on air at least. 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.”
True to his word, Roman has recently stepped down from radio, with Jordan North replacing him.
Roman also spoke about his plans for the future – revealing he wants to be a stay-at-home dad and open a dog sanctuary. He added that the reason he works is because he wants to “retire as a young person”.
Speaking about his diagnosis, he added: “I recently got diagnosed with sleep apnoea, which has been rubbish. My tiredness levels were debilitating, and they said to me it was because of my job and I said this is different.”
Roman Kemp on losing his best friend
Earlier in the episode, Roman recalled the gut-wrenching day he was live on air at Capital FM when he learned of his best friend Joe’s death by suicide.
“I remember calling my mum and hearing her just scream,” Roman shared.
The event severely impacted the TV star, reshaping his perspective on life, health and his career. And the trauma led to a reevaluation of his priorities, particularly regarding his wellbeing.
Read more: Roman Kemp on moment he told mum Shirlie his best friend had died: ‘She just screamed’
AutoTrader’s Show on the Road podcast is available now on all podcast platforms. Watch Roman on Celebrity Race Across the World Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One. It’s repeated Saturdays at 5.30pm on BBC Two.
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