Celebrity Race Across The World star Roman Kemp has been roundly praised by viewers for opening up about his mental health journey. In a scene from tonight's episode, the broadcaster spoke about his experience with anti-depressants, and how he is adapting to life without them.
Speaking to sister and teammate Harleymoon, the 32-year-old explained how he decided to come off the medication, saying: "I feel like I'm in a good place in life."
While crediting the medication for helping him through "a really bad part" of his life, Kemp now finds himself adjusting to a new normal and "trying to discover what my actual emotions are", including experiencing things like panic attacks.
His candour has been praised online, with one viewer writing on X: "a lot of admiration for Roman, hope he can navigate his journey through anxiety and learning how to regulate his own nervous system."
Another wrote: "Such a brave and honest moment for him to open up on that". A third posted: "Roman Kemp is one brave guy for being so open. Panic attacks can totally take over your life."
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Another viewer remarked: "Credit to Martin and Shirlie Kemp they have raised two fantastic children Roman and Harley-Moon."
Roman had explained to Harleymoon: "I always think, like, you were born with a happy level that's here [high]. And my ceiling was here [low]. You know, even with my tablets, I can't fully get there, do you know what I mean?"
In a confessional, he said: "I've been on antidepressants for over 15 years. For me, they help. Definitely. You know, for some people it's therapy. For some people, it's just going down to the pub and having a pint with their mates. Like, that can be their thing. It's not one shoe fits all.
"I've been through some horrible times, but I've made the decision now to come off them because I feel like I'm in a good place in life."
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Continuing with Harleymoon, he went on: "Now that I'm at a point where I've stopped taking the anti-depressants, I'm trying to discover what my actual emotions are. And don't get me wrong, they really helped me through a really bad part of my life.
"But I'm finding it hard. I'm discovering panic attacks again, or anxiety attacks. Like, doing something like this is such a test of how I'm going to react emotionally."
Celebrity Race Across the World airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include the NHS, Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.
