Roman Kemp reveals he's been asked to do Strictly each year as he shares sad reason for turning it down
The One Show star has appeared on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Here! and Celebrity Gogglebox but says there's one reason why he won't do Strictly Come Dancing
The One Show star Roman Kemp revealed he has been asked to take part in Strictly Come Dancing, but has a sad reason for turning the show down. Roman, 32, rose to fame presenting on Capital Radio.
The son of Spandau Ballet bassist Martin and former WHAM! singer Shirlie Holliman, Roman began presenting a Sunday morning slot before moving onto the breakfast show in 2017. However he quit the show in 2024 after the death of his colleague Joe Lyons.
Roman has presented on The One Show alongside co-host Alex Jones since 2022. He has also appeared on the likes of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Here! - finishing third in 2019 - and Celebrity Gogglebox.
But despite being asked if he would appear on BBC One hit Strictly, Roman says there is one reason why he won’t take to the dancefloor.
Speaking on his You About? podcast with singer Tom Grennan, Roman said: “I get asked each year, [but] it’s not really for me. Do you know what it is? I don’t think I could set myself up for the criticism.
“I’m very sensitive and I think it would terrify me. I love it and I respect it massively. I understand Dani Dyer had to pull out of this year’s one because she got injured and fractured her ankle and she was well upset about that and I completely get that. I think it’s a magical show to be a part of but it’s just not for me.”
Roman said he thinks Tom would “do really well” on Strictly, although he says Tom would have to avoid injury during the contest.
The singer replied: “That would be my problem, I’ve got some dodgy ankles mate. But if all else fails then maybe I will go on Strictly. Who knows.”
Former Love Islander Dani Dyer had to withdraw from Strictly last week after fracturing her ankle while rehearsing. In a statement, she said: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny.
"I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
“Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show. To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita [Kuzmin] but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on."
Dani was replaced on the show by West End star, and fellow former Love Island contestant, Amber Davies. Amber won the third series of the show alongside Kem Cetinay.
Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.18pm on BBC One tomorrow (October 4)