By Zoe Delaney
Roman Kemp has broken his silence online following his big announcement on Capital FM this morning.
The DJ, 31, choked up as he revealedlive on-air that he will be stepping down from Capital Breakfast just before Easter, just days on from Jordan North confirming he had quit his gig over at rival station BBC Radio 1 - with it tipped Burnley-born Jordan, 34, will be replacing Roman on Capital Breakfast.
Roman was in tears this morning as he revealed to his listeners live on air that after 10 years at Capital, it's time for a new adventure. The One Show host went on admit on social media that quitting his popular show isn't a decision "that just happened over night and it's not one that I've found easy at all."
The star, who is the eldest son of Martin Kemp, seemingly addressed to possibility of free agent Jordan replacing him next month, admitting it was "time for me to give my chair at the table to someone else" as he issued a separate statement on Instagram after breaking the news on the radio.
Speaking directly to Capital breakfast listeners this morning, with co-hosts Sian Welby and Chris Stark, an emotional Roman said: "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. 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. […] Capital and Global have helped changed me. I was 22 years old when I first joined Capital and it’s built me into the man that I am today, it is all that I know. But I know that now is the right time to leave and now is the right time to move on."
Welling up, Roman continued: "You listening, and the people in this room, every single person in this room, my producing team, Sian and Chris, Sonny who has done it in the past and Vick Hope who had done it in the past. It’s everyone. The next couple of weeks as I kind of approach the end of my time here on Capital, it’s going to be so tough.
"I love this place so much, I love it. I love the station, I love everything about it, Capital is my family. And I also love the connection that you and I, the listeners, have built together. It’s changed. I know that it started out as me being just Martin Kemp’s son, I hope that now you can call me your friend."
Writing on Instagram after the teary radio reveal, Roman, who joined Capital in 2014 before hosting the prestigious The Capital Evening Show in 2016, told his followers it was "time for me to leave". He added: "What I would like to do over the next few weeks is get to know as many of you as possible on air, if you've never texted into this show or came on and played a game or through the pandemic wanted to call in just for a chat then I want to hear from you.
The former I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! star concluded: "When I started this show I was told to remember it's like a table at the pub with your friends and one chair is empty so the listener can come and join the laughs... well now it's time for me to give my chair at the table to someone else. Lots of love Ro x."
"Oh. Roman! You’ll be missed! Can’t wait to see what you do next. I know it’s going to be HUGE," EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa wrote underneath Roman's post, with JLS singer Marvin Humes adding: "Well done brother! What a run! You can forever hold your head high for the amazing job you’ve done at Capital! Big love." One Instagram user mused: "First Jordan north and now Roman?? Could he be going into the big brother house??"
Jordan's Radio 1 exit was revealed on Friday, with former Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing announced as his replacement on the drivetime show with Vick Hope. It's understood Jordan will be the man to takeover from Roman on Capital Breakfast later this year, with a source claiming: "Jordan is moving to Capital FM to replace Roman and he could not be more excited. It is absolutely huge for him and although it’s hard to leave the BBC he is excited to get started on Capital. Jordan’s decision has been a hard pill to swallow for the BBC but there was nothing they could do to change his mind."
"Radio 1 will be saying goodbye to Jordan North," the BBC announced on Friday. "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."
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Jordan teased he would be back on the airwaves soon as he told his followers: "I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful colleagues / talented producers at Radio 1 who many I consider to be friends for life and will miss greatly, you’ve all reached out to me over the past 24 hours and it really has meant a lot.
"To my amazing fellow presenters I wish I could thank you all personally, I’ve loved working with you it’s been an absolute blast! Big love to Katie Thisleton, Greg James, Arielle Free, Ricky, Melvin & Charlie, Dean & Vicky, Clara Amfo, Matt & Molly, Scott Mills, Grimmy, all the rest of you fantastic lot, and of course my partner in crime Vick Hope…I’ll miss being on air with you every day."
Tellingly, Jordan concluded with: "MOST IMPORTANTLY the biggest of thank yous to the fantastic listeners who have been really generous and always made me feel welcome, your kind words & messages have been so lovely, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I’ll be back soon, and can’t wait to see you all again [winky face emoji]."
Capital have state the new host of Capital Breakfast will be confirmed soon, with James Rea, Chief Broadcasting and Content Officer at Global, today saying: "Roman has been a first-class presenter and it’s been fantastic to have him on the team. I want to thank him for the incredible job he’s done for Capital over the last 10 years. We look forward to announcing the new Capital Breakfast soon."
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