Roman Kemp says making his mental health documentary was ‘really tough’

His BBC documentary about male mental health Our Silent Emergency aired last month.

And Roman Kemp says that putting together the show was ‘really tough’ and was ‘something he never wanted to make’ as he encourages men to talk to friends who are struggling.

Speaking on Saturday’s upcoming episode of The Jonathan Ross show, the radio DJ, 28, explains he made the show after he lost his friend and Capital FM producer Joe Lyons to suicide. 

Honest: Roman Kemp says that making his mental health documentary was ‘really tough’ as he encourages men to talk to their friends who are ‘struggling’ on Saturday’s upcoming Jonathan Ross show

Discussing the documentary he says: ‘It was really tough. It’s something I never wanted to make. 

‘I made it because I lost my best friend, my brother Joe, [Capital] listeners would have known as ‘producer Joe’. We worked together every day. I lost him to suicide, to mental health.

‘The toughest thing, I speak about it in the film, I’ve had some dark days and, nicely, how I’ve learnt through this is a lot of men have those really dark days.’

Important: The radio DJ, 28, says he made the show after he lost his friend and Capital FM producer Joe Lyons to suicide

Important: The radio DJ, 28, says he made the show after he lost his friend and Capital FM producer Joe Lyons to suicide

He adds that people should try to encourage their friends to talk if they think they are struggling.

He says: ‘The toughest thing in that moment is to talk. The best thing I’m trying to do out of this, is to say, it’s not down to the person struggling to talk, you as a friend have to own the fact that you are someone’s friend and you have to try and speak to them.’

In the documentary which aired last month, Roman discussed his own battles with mental, revealing he considered taking his own life in 2019.

He revealed his belief that his mum Shirley Holliman, 58, unknowingly saved his life, a year before his best friend Joe took his own life.    

Loss: The star's BBC3 documentary, Our Silent Emergency, investigated male suicide and mental health and was inspired by the death of his friend Joe in 2020, (left)

Loss: The star’s BBC3 documentary, Our Silent Emergency, investigated male suicide and mental health and was inspired by the death of his friend Joe in 2020, (left)

Roman explained that in 2019 his anxiety became overwhelming as he struggled to deal with the pressures of his life.

He said: ‘I was caught out in my brain on everything: How I looked, what I was doing wrong work-wise. “Am I doing my job because of who my dad is? Am I being a good boyfriend?” All these pressures just came on top of me.

‘I remember being in the bedroom not knowing what to do. I went to the floor on my knees around my head and just crying, saying to myself, “What’s the point? Why am I carrying on?”‘

Roman revealed that he believes his mum, former Wham! singer Shirlie, unwittingly saved his life, after he rang her in floods of tears. 

Tough: In the documentary which aired last month, Roman discussed his own battles with mental, revealing he considered taking his own life in 2019

Tough: In the documentary which aired last month, Roman discussed his own battles with mental, revealing he considered taking his own life in 2019

Shirlie drove straight to her son and ensured that the radio host’s sister Harley stayed on the phone to him the whole time.   

Speaking to his mum while out on a dog walk, Roman held back tears as he explained more about that day.

He said: ‘I just remember feeling it was too much in my head. I know it’s really hard for me to tell you this.

Emotional: In the documentary Roman revealed his belief that his mum Shirley Holliman, 58, unknowingly saved his life, a year before his best friend Joe took his own life

Hearing it for the first time: 'He said: 'I just remember feeling it was too much in my head. I know it's really hard for me to tell you this...' said Roman

Emotional: In the documentary Roman revealed his belief that his mum Shirley Holliman, 58, unknowingly saved his life, a year before his best friend Joe took his own life 

‘That day, I thought about going to the train station and jumping in front of a train. I’m sorry I never told you that.’ 

Before the BBC documentary aired, Roman revealed he’s been taking antidepressants for the past 15 years after struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Roman will be joined by his father Martin on Saturday’s episode of The Jonathan Ross show where the Spandau Ballet star, 59, discusses whether he would ever do Strictly Come Dancing. 

He says: ‘I think it’s one of the best shows on television, I absolutely love it. Would I do it? Maybe, but I’d only last one round. My knees are so bad. I’m sure I’d be out first round.’

Family: Roman will be joined by his father Martin on Saturday's episode of The Jonathan Ross show where the Spandau Ballet star, 59, discusses whether he would ever do Strictly Come Dancing

Family: Roman will be joined by his father Martin on Saturday’s episode of The Jonathan Ross show where the Spandau Ballet star, 59, discusses whether he would ever do Strictly Come Dancing

Roman then adds: ‘I would like to do it, they did ask me. I ended up going, it’s like an audition… if I’m totally honest, I had a great time, but it’s too much effort. It’s so hard. It’s so hard.’    

During the interview Martin also speaks about how he was the peacekeeper in the band Spandau Ballet. 

He said: ‘Always. I was the mediator. I tried to make sure that everybody was happy all the time. Sometimes I was the go-between. I didn’t mind that, that was my role, that’s what I played. Just a shame I didn’t get paid for it.’  

Speaking of growing up with a famous dad, Roman says: ‘You know no different, this is what your life is and what you’ve grown up with. There are moments in your childhood when you start to realise, my dad is someone. I’ve seen my dad die in 5 different ways, in movies. That’s odd.’  

The past: During the interview Martin also speaks about how he was the peacekeeper in the band Spandau Ballet

The past: During the interview Martin also speaks about how he was the peacekeeper in the band Spandau Ballet

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