Roman Kemp says his best friend’s suicide ‘ripped my whole life apart’

Roman Kemp has said that the suicide of his best friend Joe Lyons ‘ripped my whole life apart’.

Speaking about Lyon’s death on Thursday’s The One Show, Roman, 28, explained that he ‘could not understand it’ and ‘felt so angry that he never called me’.

In a clip from his upcoming BBC3 documentary, Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency, Roman confessed: ‘I felt angry that he just decided that was it and didn’t feel the need to at least let me know.  

Sad: Roman Kemp said on The One Show on Thursday that his best friend producer Joe Lyon’s suicide ‘ripped my whole life apart’ as he says ‘I felt so angry that he never called

Loss: The star's new BBC3 documentary, Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency investigates male suicide and mental health and was inspired by the death of his friend Joe, (left)

Loss: The star’s new BBC3 documentary, Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency investigates male suicide and mental health and was inspired by the death of his friend Joe, (left)

‘I felt angry that someone had to find him. I felt angry that someone had to find him in that position.’ 

Roman revealed to hosts Alex Jones and Rylan that his important investigation into why so many young men take their own lives was inspired by Lyon’s death in August.

‘I had a lot of thought processes in the beginning because this is something that happened in August last year and a lot of people were saying to me at the time “do you think this is too soon, do you need to wait to delve into the subject?'”

He also said that Joe, who was a radio producer, was the last person he would have expected to take his own life.

Roman revealed to hosts Alex Jones and Rylan that his important investigation into why so many young men take their own lives was inspired by Lyon's death in August

Roman revealed to hosts Alex Jones and Rylan that his important investigation into why so many young men take their own lives was inspired by Lyon’s death in August

‘If you’d have lined up 20 people you would have thought were suffering mentally he [Joe] would have been the last person.

‘He was the happiest person, putting everyone ahead of him. I didn’t know what had happened.

‘It just put me in this state where I’d feel like I knew I had to do something for him and for his family I guess. That’s the overwhelming thought I had.’

Joe was a well-loved producer at Global radio for nine years.

After Joe’s death, Roman emotionally addressed fans on his show Sunday Best, which he co-hosts with his father Martin Kemp, 59, urging them to ‘reach out’.

Paying tribute to Joe, he 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…

‘It 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.’

Close: Roman (pictured with mum Shirlie, 58, centre, and dad Martin Kemp, 59, left) will also discuss how his mother 'saved his life' after he suffered a mental health crisis 18 months ago

Close: Roman (pictured with mum Shirlie, 58, centre, and dad Martin Kemp, 59, left) will also discuss how his mother ‘saved his life’ after he suffered a mental health crisis 18 months ago

In his documentary, Roman will also discuss how his mother Shirlie ‘saved his life’ after he suffered a mental health crisis just 18 months ago.

Speaking to The Times earlier in March, the radio presenter said he knows how ‘dark it can get’ and that antidepressants are now ‘just part of his life’ as he discussed the increasing problem of male suicides.

‘I have the best parents any kid could ever imagine. I had the best upbringing anyone could ever imagine,’ he said.

‘I have a safe place that I can call home. I have great friends. But at the age of 15 I suffered majorly with depression.

‘Since then I’ve taken antidepressants and that’s just part of my life. I know how dark it can get if ever I come off of those tablets and those kinds of thoughts come into play.’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details   

Honest: Earlier in March, the radio presenter said he knows how 'dark it can get' and that antidepressants are now 'just part of his life'

Honest: Earlier in March, the radio presenter said he knows how ‘dark it can get’ and that antidepressants are now ‘just part of his life’