ROMANKemp has opened up about what it’s like being a quiz host, admitting he was close to tears at one point because it’s ‘so hard’.
Roman, 32, has hosted The Finish Line on the BBC for two series alongside sidekick Sarah Greene.
BBC presenter Roman Kemp has opened up about what it’s like being a quiz host[/caption]
Roman says he was on the verge of tears when he first started on The Finish Line with Sarah Greene[/caption]
The hugely popular BBC game show has become a fan favourite, with contestants racing in moving podiums across the studio floor as they aim to be the first one to the finish line and to get their hands on £5,000.
Roman set to front the popular show yet again as a third series returns, but he has admitted the first time he hosted the show was not as smooth sailing as he expected.
He exclusively told The Sun’s TV Mag: “I remember the first time I ever did this, I got on the phone to my parents almost in tears going: ‘I can’t do this, it’s so hard.’ And every time we do it, it’s still difficult.“
“So you look at people like Bradley Walsh [who has hosted The Chase since 2009] and you think: ‘Wow, what an incredible feat you’ve been able to do.’
“And I was watching Romesh do it on The Weakest Link, and that ability to move from question to question to question is hard.
“I guess as a host, your job is to make it look easy. But I’m here to say that it’s hard, man, it’s really hard!”
He added: “Hats off to all of the quiz hosts out there!”
Roman also explained how things are so intense when filming, contestants often don’t recognise him out of the studio.
Sharing a funny encounter, the host said: “A young lad won five grand and there’s a little Nando’s literally ten minutes away from the BBC studios in Belfast where we shoot it, I’ve gone in there after the show and I’ve seen the bloke that’s won.
“I’m in my civvies, I ain’t got the suit on anymore and no make up and I go: ‘Well done!’ No joke, considering he’d just done the whole show, he looked at me and goes: ‘Do I know you?’
“It’s the worst thing for anyone in the limelight. You don’t want to say: ‘Mate, I’ve literally just spent three hours with you and given you five grand!’ It goes to show it’s such a head mess in there because it’s so intense.”
Roman, who is the youngest child of Spandau Ballet’s Martin and Wham! singer Shirlie Holliman, stepped down from his job as Capital Breakfast presenter in March last year after a decade with the station and has featured in more TV roles ever since.
As well as appearing on The One Show, Roman has fronted The Finish Line for two seasons, with the first one launching in 2023 on BBC One, directly rivalling Tipping Point on ITV1.
The Finish Line will return to screens on Monday, March 10 from 4:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Speaking about the new series, Roman said: “I’m absolutely buzzing that The Finish Line is back for another series!
“There are some seriously tense moments, and when the pressure’s on, you never know what’s going to happen!
“Sarah and I had a blast filming, and I can’t wait for everyone to see all the excitement, drama, and surprises this series has in store.
Roman has praised hosts like Bradley Walsh and Romesh Ranganathan[/caption]
Romesh Ranganathan hosting a Christmas special of The Weakest Link[/caption]
The Finish Line returns on Monday, March 10 from 4:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
