Roman Kemp makes heartbreaking family admission

Roman Kemp is the son of pop star Shirlie Kemp and Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp
-Credit:Channel 4


Roman Kemp has opened up on what it feels like to have grown up with a famous family. The One Show presenter is the son of Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp and pop star Shirlie Kemp.

Speaking to the Guardian, Roman shared his feelings of alienation from a young age, saying: "I really upset my mum recently, because I said that sometimes I feel like I don't fit in with our family. I go back home and my dad will be on the piano, my sister will be singing, my mum's taking videos and pictures. And I just want to be on my own. I'm not... embarrassed by it, but that form of extroversion is not really me."

At home, Shirlie’s best friend (and Kemp’s godfather) was George Michael. Roman realised early on that his childhood was different from other kids’ because teachers would ask for his dad’s autograph. Aged 15, he signed a 360 deal with Universal - when a label gives financial support to an artist in return for future revenue - and played bass and guitar, although he said it was a lot too soon and he "packed it in" aged 18.

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The 31-year-old radio and television presenter, is often open about his personal life and in November he told fans he had stopped taking antidepressants after more than 10 years. He took to Instagram to share that they were now "out" of his system and that he'd been taking the medication since he was 15. The presenter was diagnosed with clinical depression by the age of 18 and became distant at home in his early teens.

Roman added on Instagram, talking about medication: "I'm neither for or against taking anti-depressants, I'm about what is right for YOU and if it helps you then go for it." Since leaving Capital, Roman has become a regular presenter on The One Show and has launched a podcast with his dad called FFS! My Dad is Martin Kemp. According to the Guardian, Roman is also planning to announce a new nationwide mental health initiative.