Celebrity Race Across the World’s Roman Kemp admits to sister Harleymoon he is suffering panic attacks
The TV presenter says he has stopped taking antidepressants after 15 years
Nov 20 2025
Celebrity Race Across the World‘s Roman Kemp has revealed to his sister Harleymoon that he is suffering from panic attacks after coming off anti-depressants.
Roman, 32, makes the frank admission in tonight’s episode of the BBC show, which he is competing in with Harleymoon, 36.
In scenes that air on BBC One, the TV presenter tells his sibling he is suddenly experiencing emotions he has not felt since he was 15 years old.
Roman Kemp opens up about stopping antidepressants to sister Harleymoon in Celebrity Race Across the World (Credit: BBC)
Harleymoon, who has previously described Roman as a “worrier” in Celebrity Race Across the World, admits their trip across Central America has helped her to “understand” him better.
Celebrity Race Across the World: Roman Kemp’s mental health
Roman is seen chatting to Harleymoon about his mental health over a quiet drink in tonight’s Celebrity Race Across the World. He tells her has been through “horrible times” in life but stopped the medication last year.
Series 3 of Celebrity Race Across the World was filmed between October and December 2024.
Roman says to Harleymoon: “I’ve been on antidepressants for over 15 years. For me, they help. Definitely. For some people, it’s therapy. For some people it’s just going down to the pub with their mates. 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. Now that I’m at a point where I’ve stopped taking the antidepressants, it’s trying to discover what my actual emotions are.”
Roman continues: “Don’t get me wrong, they really helped me through a really bad part of my life. But I’ve not known since I was 15 who I am, what makes me sad or what makes me emotional, what makes me happy.
“I am finding it hard. I’m discovering panic attacks again and anxiety attacks. “Doing something like this, for me, is such a test of how I’m going to react emotionally.”
Harleymoon thanks her brother for being honest. She admits: “Prior to this trip, I guess I just thought you were a bit of a worrier for the sake of worrying. But I do feel like I’m getting to understand you better.”
Later in the show, Harleymoon encourages her brother to be “silly” with her. Together, they scream out to sea that he’s “not going to have anxiety tomorrow”.
Harleymoon says their trip is helping her to understand Roman better (Credit: BBC)
Roman Kemp: Mental health and friend’s suicide
Roman is an advocate for speaking out about mental health. Last year, he fronted the BBC documentary show Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency.
The programme explored the mental health crisis affecting young men. He filmed it following the tragic death of his best friend. Joe Lyons, who was a producer for Capital FM, took his own life in August 2020.
Roman admitted in the documentary that he even considered taking his own life while suffering depression. He now works to use his platform to raise awareness of mental health. He is determined to help break the sigma, especially among young men and boys.
Last year, Roman wrote on Instagram: “It has now been four months since I stopped taking antidepressants, and it’s safe to say they’re out of my system.
“While I’m still learning about why I suddenly want to cry more and may get a bit snappier at my friends, I’m excited at the thought of understanding what the emotional side of me is really like.”
Roman added: “I’m neither for or against taking antidepressants, I’m about what is right for YOU, and if it helps you, then go for it.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at any time.
Read more: Roman Kemp’s plan fails as he seeks savage ‘revenge’ against ‘m A Celebrity star Martin
Celebrity Race Across the World continues at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday November 20, 2025.
