Celebrity Race Across the World is back on our TV screens and, honestly, the timing couldn't be better... we're going to be completely bereft when Celebrity Traitors comes to an end. In the new series of the travel-themed show, we'll see a whole host of new celebrities racing across the world (not like you couldn't guess that from the title!), including TV presenter Anita Rani, actor Dylan Llewellyn, and radio DJ Roman Kemp, to name a few.
And speaking of Roman Kemp, the podcast host and TV personality has a heartfelt moment in the debut episode as he opens up about his mental health. It's a topic that he's shared details about for a long while, and earlier this year Roman revealed he felt like he was "going to die" during a panic attack.
Celebrity Race Across the World's Roman Kemp on mental health
Roman on panic attacks
"I nearly died. I thought I nearly died," he said on a recent episode of the FFS! My Dad is Martin Kemp podcast, which he hosts with his dad... Martin Kemp. Roman explained that he had COVID, made worse by his anxiety. "I started having mad panic attacks, like serious panic attacks."
"All of a sudden your brain tells you, 'You're gonna die'," he said, adding that he thought he was going to "have a heart attack" and considered calling an ambulance.
His comments echo ones he previously made on the High Performance podcast. "A panic attack is horrible; they are the worst," he said. "You convince yourself you're going to die, it's so strange."
Roman on antidepressants
Last year, 32-year-old Roman shared on Instagram that he'd stopped taking antidepressants for the first time since his teenage years. "It has now been four months since I stopped taking antidepressants, and it's safe to say they're out of my system," he said, adding that he has taken antidepressants for his mental health since he was 15.
"While I'm still learning about why I suddenly want to cry more and may get a bit snappier at my friends, I'm excited at the thought of understanding what the emotional side of me is really like," Roman went on. "I'm neither for or against taking antidepressants, I'm about what is right for YOU, and if it helps you, then go for it."
If you are taking antidepressants, it's important to speak with your health provider before deciding to come off them, as they can advise you on how to do so safely.
Roman on suicide
Following the death of his Capital Radio colleague, who died by suicide, Roman released a BBC Three documentary. In Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency, the TV host reflects on the death of Joe Lyons and how he is "still processing" it.
Roman described Joe's death as "the worst situation" he has ever experienced, and admitted to considering taking his own life after battling depression for more than a decade. Since then, he has been proactive in trying to break down the stigma around mental health and suicide, particularly for men and boys.
"I lost my best friend, my absolute brother, to mental health. It destroyed my world in so many ways, and put me in the lowest point in my life," he told GQ at the time. "I need to do this film. For my own sake, and because I need to warn everyone that this isn't something you can see. The old idea of 'this is a depressed person, look at them be sad and cry' is not the case. That's the horrible thing about it."
Roman went on: "I hope that out of however many people watch this documentary, I hope it helps at least one."
Roman on therapy
Given his struggles with anxiety, Roman has spoken about seeing a therapist and how this has helped with his mental health. The One Show host said therapy "saved" his life after his appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, a time when he "struggled hugely."
"It's a phenomenal thing that I would hope everyone tries at some point in their lives," he previously told Boots about going to therapy. "I don't think it does any harm. It allows you to voice things that you maybe wouldn't normally say."
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
