Roman Kemp, known for his role as a presenter on The One Show, grew up in the public eye and experienced the challenges of celebrity life early on. His mother, Shirlie Kemp, a former pop star, was visibly distressed for days due to the pressures of fame.
Before embarking on the adventure of Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 alongside his sister Harleymoon Kemp, Roman, 32, reminisced about a difficult period from his childhood. In a candid conversation with singer Tom Grennan on their podcast, Roman recalled how his family struggled financially while being featured in national magazines.
Shirlie and her husband, Martin Kemp, a former member of Spandau Ballet and actor on EastEnders, faced financial hardships in the ’90s due to Martin’s health issues. He underwent surgery to remove two brain tumors, leading to financial strains for the family.
Roman revealed the emotional toll of their public life, sharing how his parents worried about paparazzi taking intrusive photos of their children, even on family holidays. The constant invasion of privacy led to distressing moments for the family, with Shirlie often in tears over paparazzi photos appearing in the media.
As preparations for Celebrity Race Across the World unfolded, Harleymoon disclosed that she missed an earlier opportunity to participate with her mother due to concerns about the challenge. Roman, who has been open about his mental health struggles, saw the race as a personal test of overcoming anxiety post-medication.
The upcoming show promises an intense and emotional journey for the participants, with Roman reflecting on the grueling experience of the race. Celebrity Race Across the World is set to premiere tonight on BBC One.
