Roman Kemp was mugged at knifepoint

Roman Kemp was secretly robbed at knifepoint.

The 29-year-old star - who is the son of pop stars Martin and Shirlie Kemp - was surrounded by a weapon-wielding gang who demanded his money and phone when he was a teenager, but he didn't tell his parents what had happened because he'd ignored the advice they had given him if he was ever confronted by muggers.

He said: “When I was 14 we were followed by these older lads one time.

“I had my phone in the inside pocket and I knew I was being followed.

“I had this sharp thing pointed in my back, and I heard a gruff voice behind me telling me to hand over my wallet and phone.

“He took my wallet, there was probably only a fiver in there. I didn’t tell him I had my phone. I kept it hidden, which was totally dumb.

“Mum and Dad always lectured me that if ever I got mugged or asked to hand over my phone, I should immediately do that. It’s not worth being stabbed over.

“I got home and didn’t admit what had happened. I think I found that thrill of being in danger exciting.”

The 'Celebrity Gogglebox' star recalled another incident where he got into a fight after again ignoring his parents' advice, and admitted Spandau Ballet star Martin was furious when he heard what had happened.

According to the Daily Star Sunday newspaper, Roman wrote in his new book 'Are You Really OK?': “In my early 20s I was in a bit of a bar brawl. I’d been singled out because of who I was, or who Dad was. While not a fighter by nature, I did fight back.

“Dad unleashed hell on me when he heard. He warned me those situations I just had to walk away from. He was absolutely right though and I’ve listened to him.”