ROMAN Kemp has revealed he broke down in tears after being asked to host this year’s Brit Awards.
The TV and radio star will be joined at London’s O2 Arena on March 2 by presenting powerhouses Maya Jama and Clara Amfo.
“When they told me, I cried,” said Roman. “The BRITs has always been on this pedestal for me, because in terms of excitement in the UK, there is nothing like it.”
Fresh from finishing Love Island All Stars in South Africa, Maya said: “It’s been a dream since I was a teenager, so I’m super over the moon… The BRITs was the last goal that I had to tick off my 19 year old list for presenting. Gonna have to come up with new goals!”
While Radio 1 star Clara said: “This is such a bucket list job for me and I am genuinely overjoyed and honoured to be doing it.”
The One Show host Roman has established himself as a household name in recent years, but he’s still sought advice from those that have come before him.
He revealed he’s spoken to some legends to glean some tips for the big night.
Roman said: “I spoke to Ant & Dec and they said it was the hardest show they’d ever had to do. But there’s a masochist side to me that really wants to experience that. That’s what it’s about; putting your head above the parapet sometimes and if it scares you, that’s good.
“I spoke to Jack [Whitehall] about how to play it. Comedians do different things, [but] we’ve got something they didn’t have. We each bring our own vibe to the table, Maya knows all these cool celebrities, she’s mates with Idris Elba, and Clara is this incredible muso whose knowledge is just out of this world. My presenting style [is] a horrific tale of self deprecation.”
Earlier this week Roman paid an emotional tribute to Capital breakfast listeners and his team after it was revealed he’s leaving the show and will be replaced by BBC star Jordan North.
Speaking on the radio alongside his co-hosts Sian Welby and Chris Stark, Roman said: “I’ve got quite a big announcement and it is one that is really weird to say out loud.
“It’s really odd, to be honest I had no idea how I start this. So I’ll come out and say it. “This is going to be my last six weeks on Capital. Which is a weird thing to say.”
He continued: “What I can tell you is I’m not saying goodbye right now, I’m not leaving the show today and that’s it, but it’s not far away.
“It will come and that goodbye will come in five to six weeks.
“It’s not a decision that has come overnight either, it’s massive, I’ve not found it easy at all.”
The star, whose best friend and producer Joe Lyons tragically died in August 2020, went on: “Capital is my family, you as the wonderful listeners that you’ve been, you’ve been with me at my best times and my absolute lowest.
Roman, the son of eighties pop stars Martin and Shirlie Kemp, was just 22 years old when he first joined Capital in 2014.Reflecting on his time on the radio, he continued: “I know that it started out as me being just Martin Kemp’s son, I hope that now you can call me your friend.”He thanked his co-workers Sian and Chris, and Sonny Jay, and former co-presenter Vick Hope and said it will be “so tough” to leave but admitted he’s looking forward to getting more sleep.
Roman went on: “I’ve loved every single moment of my time at Capital.“The last 10 years have been amazing and hosting the legendary Capital Breakfast is the best job ever.
“But after almost seven years of early alarms, I’m looking forward to some lie-ins and it’s time to hand over the baton!“It’s been a privilege and an honour to wake up millions of people every day.
“It’s the best job in radio and I’ll miss our listeners and the team at Global lots.“Whoever the next host of Capital Breakfast is, they’re in for the most incredible ride.”
On Friday, it was revealed that Jordan North was signing a big money deal to join the Capital FM Breakfast team after quitting Radio 1.
Roman with Capital co-hosts Sian Welby and Chris Stark
