Celebrity Race Across the World's Roman Kemp is 'courageous and brave' for speaking about mental health
Former contestant Jeff Brazier believes Roman is trying to 'rediscover' who he isCelebrity Race Across the World‘s Roman Kemp has been praised for his ‘courage and bravery’ surrounding his mental health by former contestant, Jeff Brazier.
Roman, 32, spoke to his sister Harleymoon, 36, in last week’s show about how he had stopped taking medication for depression and anxiety.
But as a result, the TV star admitted he was experiencing emotions he hadn’t felt in 15 years. This included panic attacks.
Jeff, who took part in Celebrity Race Across the World with his son Freddy, has now given his frank opinion on Roman’s public confession on the show.
Speaking exclusively to TVGuide in connection with Sky Vegas, Jeff has commended Roman for his honesty. He’s also described Harleymoon as “incredibly patient and empathetic”.
Jeff tells us: “You can’t help but fall in love with Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon as a team. She’s incredibly patient and empathetic with him, especially as we learn he’s coming off medication and hoping this trip will give him some perspective on who he is without that support.
“The way he explains what it’s like to live with an anxious, overactive mind is genuinely fascinating, and Harleymoon is getting to know her brother in a way she hasn’t for years.”
Celebrity Race Across the World: Roman’s ‘personal quest’
As Jeff continues, he remarks how Roman’s personal journey is becoming “bigger than the race itself”.
“It shows a lot of courage for him to confront all of this while travelling through South America,” the TV presenter adds. “We’ve seen moments where he acts on that anxiety – getting off buses mid-journey, for example – but it feels like their quest is bigger than the race itself. It’s about him trying to rediscover who he is.
“There was a moment where he followed his sister’s lead even though he wasn’t completely comfortable, and that was a real act of bravery. Sometimes you have to override that inner dialogue that’s trying to keep you safe and just see what happens.
“I’m warming to them a lot because their struggle feels bigger than getting to a checkpoint first.”
Tonight, Roman and Harleymoon will be seen arriving in Costa Rica for the next leg of the race. The pair have some catching up to do, however. Last week, they were last to arrive at the third checkpoint.
But the siblings had fallen behind after bonding on the beach about Roman’s battle with his mental health. Roman told Harleymoon he had stopped taking medication for depression and anxiety.
‘Panic and anxiety attacks’
“I am finding it hard,” Roman admitted. “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 told him: “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.”
Jeff believes the siblings need to make sure they “stick to the decisions they’ve made” to catch up in Celebrity Race Across the World. But he also wants to ensure viewers “cut them slack” given Roman’s mental health.
“For them to improve, it’s mainly about sticking with the decisions they’ve made,” Jeff explains. “If you’re on the right bus, don’t start changing your mind halfway through the journey, because that’s always going to cost you.
“But we also have to cut them some slack – their race is tied up with Roman trying to override those anxious thoughts he’s lived with for a long time. That’s a much bigger challenge than anything in the competition.”
Read more: Celebrity Race Across the World: Why Roman Kemp’s sister Harleymoon refuses to be a nepo-baby
