ROMAN Kemp has announced his departure from Capital FM.
The 31-year-old revealed the news live on his show, which he co-hosts with Sian Welby and Chris Stark.
On February 19, 2024, Roman revealed that he will leave Capital Breakfast in the coming weeks after more than eight years.
Speaking live on air 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.”
Roman, whose best friend and producer Joe 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.”
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 also thanked his co-workers and said it will be “so tough” to leave but said 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.”
His last show will be on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Roman joined Capital in 2014 before hosting the prestigious The Capital Evening Show in 2016.
In 2017 he moved to Capital Breakfast and took the show nationwide in 2019.
On February 16, 2024, it was revealed that Jordan North was signing a big money deal to join the Capital FM Breakfast team after quitting Radio 1.
The Sun can confirm that Jordan has broadcast his final drivetime show for the Beeb alongside Vick Hope.
Jamie Laing has been signed as his replacement and will begin his tenure in March.
A statement released by the BBC said: “Radio 1 will be saying goodbye to Jordan North.
“Jordan has been behind some of the most hilarious and entertaining moments on air over the years, and has been a constant source of inspiration for younger presenters.
“Thank you for everything.”
Roman is believed to have departed from the station to concentrate on other career ventures.
While he is perhaps best known for appearing on the airwaves, he’s enjoyed a flourishing TV career in recent years.
In August 2023, Roman joined The One Show as Alex Jones‘s regular co-host, alongside Jermaine Jenas.
Roman said at the time: “I’m very excited to become a permanent presenter on The One Show, I have had so much fun filming with the team already over the past year on the sofa.
“It’s a dream come true to be on prime-time BBC One, bringing the best topical news and entertainment to the nation.”
In 2022, Roman revealed his plans to quit Capital within five years after receiving a devastating diagnosis caused by his hectic work schedule.
He opened up about walking away from the limelight after being diagnosed with sleep apnoea – a condition which causes a person’s breathing to stop and start while sleeping.
The disorder has even led to the star having to wear an oxygen mask at night time.
Speaking to Mail Online, the presenter who has dealt with five years of demanding early starts for his show, said: “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.”
