Roman Kemp urges ‘struggling’ fans to reach out for help in emotional plea alongside tearful dad

Roman Kemp has paid tribute to his best friend Joe Lyons once again, following his sudden death two weeks ago.

The presenter, 27, addressed viewers of his weekend show, Sunday Best, which he co-hosts with his father Martin Kemp.

Looking emotional, having weathered a very tough week, Roman spoke to the camera, urging anyone who is ‘struggling’ to ‘please reach out’.

Ever the professional, Roman composed himself and said: ‘Before we can start with our usual show, you may have read that it’s been an incredibly hard week for me personally, as I lost my best friend, which has completely devastated his family, friends, me, my family…

‘I really want to make sure that I use this time right now to say if you are struggling, then please know that you can reach out.

‘There is always someone you can talk to: your family, friends, colleagues… or anyone from the support charities that are out there.

‘At ITV there is the mental wellness initiative called Britain Get Talking, which encourages all of us to reach out and talk to someone.’

Roman read out the website address for the service [itv.com/britaingettalking] before his dad Martin added a supportive: ‘Well do, Ro!’

Martin – as well as Roman’s mother Shirlie – also knew Joe well, and the Spandau Ballet star appeared close to tears as Roman said his piece.

Roman was then sure to make sure the show went on, adding that Joe had even helped come up with some of the games the father/son duo played on the series.

At the end of the show, a photo of Joe was shown, with the episode dedicated to him.

Joe’s cause of death has not been officially revealed, but Roman’s words suggested he had ‘struggled’ in the lead up to it, and that it could have been related to mental wellbeing.

Roman has since had a tattoo tribute inked onto his leg, to honour his late friend, who was one of his Capital Breakfast show producers. 

The DJ discovered Joe had died last Tuesday and suddenly went off the air – not returning until the following Monday.

On Thursday, Roman explained why he had chosen his bird design tattoo.

He wrote on Instagram: ‘Joe had this tattoo and I always used to say it was awful and looked like a pigeon. So I got it in the same spot…’

He then shared a side-by-side comparison of the two tattoos, showing just how similar they are. 

Roman shared a selection of pictures of herself with Joe and wrote: ‘You will always be my brother, my best mate and my partner. Everyday I’m missing seeing you and just wish I could show you how many people know you’re the best. 

‘You taught me everything I know, I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for you sat by my side for the last 6 years. Pushing me and supporting me through everything. 

‘I can only hope I gave you the same love, loyalty and outrageous amounts of fun that you gave me. 

‘We have so many memories that span from sharing beds in the middle of nowhere to dancing on tables to breaking world records. 

‘I’m sorry I haven’t stopped texting you and sending you memes. We were only just starting our adventure together but I’m going to take you along with me for the rest of it, flying that flag for the both of us.

‘I love you more than I can ever explain. See you soon mate❤️’  

Roman broke down in tears live on his Capital Breakfast radio show on Monday as he returned to work following Joe’s death.

The presenter and his co-stars Sian Welby, 33, and Sonny Jay, 27, had taken time off from the show for the rest of the week, after being told the news during their live broadcast.

Roman took the decision to talk to viewers about how he was feeling on Monday as he paid tribute to his ‘best friend’.

Breaking down, he said: ‘We wanted to share some really sad news. I never thought I’d have to do this ever.

‘Last Tuesday, very suddenly, we lost one of our best friends. Our producer Joe, he was a member of the Capital Breakfast family. 

‘We are trying to process this all together. We wanted to share this news with you.’ 

Roman continued: ‘Joe had worked for Global, the parent company, for nine years.

‘He was the very first person I met when I walked through the door. I remember thinking he was a bit of a Del Boy.

‘He was with me right from my very first show. He taught be everything. I don’t know sitting in a radio studio without him.’

Discussing their close bond, Roman added: ‘He’s the person I’d sit here and rinse constantly.  

‘He loved dogs. Obsessed with his daily step count. Never ironed his clothes. He loved his family so much. His dad Ivan, his mum Celia, his sister Lou. 

‘He did love his friends… his fans, he did have fans. The thing he loved most of all was doing this show, you listening.

‘He was like a genius coming up with these ideas. He was driven by the reaction from you every day.’

Roman’s mother Shirlie wrote on Joe’s final Instagram post, shared on June 20, ‘God Bless you Joe …. you were and always will be so loved’, while ex-Capital Breakfast presenter Vick Hope took to Instagram and wrote: ‘Our Joe. My JoeJoe. My special, magical, beautiful friend.

‘We signed off every message with “I love you, buddy”, and yet I’m worried I still didn’t tell you enough.

‘I really do love you, bud, so so much. We all do. I hope you know that. We are so lucky to have known you. The world is a better place for having had you in it. And now the stars have gained an extraordinary gift in you. Look at everything you made, Joe. Everything you achieved, what you built, who you inspired. 

‘Your talent and creativity are so immense, but more than that you are the kindest, most hilarious, caring, fun, fiercely loyal and spectacular person any of us had the pleasure of meeting. You really are the best one we ever knew. Our friend. My friend. 

‘For the last four years you have been my solace, my rock, my confidante. I’ve told you all my secrets, and you said you’d take them to the grave. And now it seems you did just that, and it breaks my heart. 

‘Words cannot describe this pain, it doesn’t make sense and it’ll take time to process. I keep repeating: Not you, please not you. But now you’re at peace, you’re in a better place. I’m going to miss you Joe Lyons, so much.’

She continued: ‘Thank you for every crab dance, every “you’re embarrassing us babe”, every cereal box game, every 5am-er at a houseparty we’re not invited to, every “bah bah”, every undersized chino, every photobomb courtesy of your a**e, every cocktail we shook in your flat or evening spent in my yard doing things we shouldn’t on a school night, every club we sat in the corner of scheming, every time we were back and ready to do it all over again, every single damn laugh, every hug that meant the world because you made me feel safe and understood. 

‘And thank you for being my favourite valentine. We met our match in each other. I’ve never encountered anyone else as weird and as wild, and together we were chaos. 

‘Wherever you are I hope you’re causing chaos there too. We never wanted the party to end, and I don’t believe this one is over either; I’ll just see you at the afterparty. Until then, I love you, buddy. My thoughts are with your parents and Lou; Ro, Sonny and the team; Olly and everyone who loves you.’

If you have been affected by this, visit itv.com/britaingettalking or call the Samaritans on 116 123.