Roman Kemp wants to quit showbiz in five years and ‘retire young’, revealing he hates fame

Roman Kemp has revealed he wants to quit showbiz in five years and ‘retire young’ because he hates fame and dreams of one day opening a dog sanctuary.

The Capital FM breakfast host, 29, told MailOnline he learned from an early age after looking up to his famous parents and godfather George Michael that being a ‘celebrity’ didn’t appeal to him and he’s only working now to save money for his future.

In an exclusive interview, Roman, whose father Martin was the guitarist in Spandau Ballet, admitted he longs for the day when he can leave ‘dangerous’ London after growing ‘terrified’ that his life will revolve around convincing the public to like him.

Roman, who will present The Platinum Party At The Palace on June 4 in celebration of the Queen’s 70-year Jubilee, said: ‘When I was a child, I was fortunate to see fame at the level of big people in terms of my godfather and my parents. 

‘You have one level being my mum and dad, which is being recognised at restaurants and all those types of things but then fame at George Michael’s level, I wouldn’t want that ever.

‘If my children one day wanted to become an artist I would back them but personally that level of fame doesn’t appeal.

‘I am not doing this job to become famous; I know for a fact it doesn’t interest me.

‘The reason I work, and my agent knows this, and my mum and dad know this, the only reason I’m doing it is because I want to retire as a young person.

‘It doesn’t interest me’: The Capital FM breakfast host told MailOnline he learned from an early age after looking up to his famous parents and godfather George Michael that being a ‘celebrity’ didn’t appeal to him

‘I am terrified that I will spend my life on a tiny island that is the UK trying to get people to like me.

‘I want to get to the point where I start a family and do what I want to do. I want to be a stay-at-home dad and open a dog sanctuary.’

Roman, whose mum was one half of pop duo Pepsi and Shirley, confessed to feeling envious of former Radio 1 breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw’s life now he’s left the station, admitting he often doubts whether his current lifestyle, which sees him work long hours and attend high-profile events, is healthy. 

He said: ‘I have done the Capital breakfast show for five years now, which has gone by in an instant.

‘I remember when I first got the gig, I spoke to Nick Grimshaw, and I said ‘what am I in for?’ He said it’s tough but it’s the most fun you will ever have. I can only say that he’s right.

‘I am so jealous of Nick’s life now because he’s having so much fun, he’s doing whatever he wants, he looks so happy, and he looks healthy. I can see the benefits of not doing a radio show.

‘I have needed to take a realistic look at it and ask myself ‘is this life making me happy? Is it making me healthy?’ I am constantly trying to deal with that.

‘I was saying to my best friend yesterday that my life is monotonous, and I feel like I’m on this constant treadmill of a city.’

Roman isn’t ready to take his foot off the pedal just yet and still aspires to work another five years in the hot seat at Capital.

He added: ‘I want a decade on air at least. I would love to be able to say I did a decade on that show – whether my bosses will allow that I don’t know.

‘Radio takes a long time it takes two years to build a relationship with an audience so really I’ve only had two years with them.’

The impact of Roman’s intense schedule led him to believe he was suffering with narcolepsy, a brain condition that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep.

After seeing a doctor he’s since been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, which is when your breathing stops and starts when you’re asleep.

To tackle the problem, Roman, who’s currently single, must wear an oxygen mask to bed, which he says is sure to ruin his love life.

He explained: ‘I recently got diagnosed with sleep apnoea, which has been rubbish.

‘My tiredness levels were debilitating, and they said to me it was because of my job and I said this is different.

‘I was talking with people where I thought I was verging on narcolepsy because I was mid conversation and would be snoring and not realising, it was very strange.

‘The doctors told me I must wear an oxygen mask. There is absolutely nothing sexy about going back to Roman Kemp’s house.

‘They are expecting candles and mood lighting but they’re getting a Darth Vader impression into an oxygen tank. My love life will look a niche Channel 5 documentary!’

Roman is an ambassador with The National Lottery, who over the past six months have granted £22million of National Lottery funds to community led organisations in the UK to give them a chance of celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee in style.

Roman visited charity Age Well East, who aim to empower people in their later years, to see first-hand how they are using the funding to rejoice in the momentous week. 

He said: ‘It was such a lovely afternoon heading over to Age Well East.

‘These people have been given a social life again. It ties into everything I have stood for so far in terms of mental health about keeping conversations going and making sure coming out of the pandemic that we’re able to express ourselves.

‘It was great being able to meet some of the women there, who tried teaching me how to knit but sadly, my knitting career lasted about 7 seconds.

‘All the women there are widows after losing their husbands. They didn’t know how to live their lives or look after their money; it’s debilitating to be left in that situation and to be placed into lockdown with no prior warning.

‘It was great to be there and see that Age Well East is being supported by the National Lottery and ahead of the Jubilee weekend seeing all of the events they’re putting on for everyone to make us feel like we’re a part of something special.’