Radio presenter Roman Kemp is highly regarded after Our Silent Emergency, a BBC documentary on mental health and suicide among young men.
Singer Niall Horan, Dick and Dom and other celebrities joined the audience and critics in applauding the Capital broadcaster’s emotional film.
‘Deeply Candid’
Telegraph reviewer Michael Hogan saluted Kemp for his “frequently raw” and “deeply candid” documentary.
Kemp was in the process of making the film after a friend of his committed suicide last year.
Joe Lyons was Kemp’s producer at the Capital morning show, which he has been promoting since 2017.
The Documentary
In the film, which aired on BBC One on Monday and now on iPlayer, Kemp explored why a growing number of young men are committing suicide.
Prior to the broadcast, the 28-year-old actor said he hoped “it would show that there are ways to reach out to those who are suffering and need our help”.
In an hour-long program, he traveled around the UK to talk to young men who have lost their friends to suicide or who have tried to commit suicide.
He also spoke frankly with his parents – Spandau Ballet star-turned-actor Martin Kemp and Shirlie Holliman of Pepsi & Shirlie.
The program’s praise came from broadcasters and celebrities working with Kemp as well as critics, viewers and mental health professionals.
A Must-Watch
“What a truly emotional, thought provoking and well articulated documentary,” wrote TV presenters Dick and Dom on Twitter. “You will have helped many.”
Singer Tom Grennan called the film “a must watch”, while One Direction member Horan said it was both “eye opening and beautiful”.
DJ 1 Scott Mills of Radio 1 gave the presenter “a lot of respect”, and former political adviser Alastair Campbell, who spoke of his depression, praised the film as “very moving”.
Broadcaster Anneka Rice wrote on Twitter that she was “still in tears” after watching the “very touching” program.
“Thank you @romankemp for being so open about your experience,” wrote Rosena Allin-Khan, minister of mental health.
Other Twitter users called the documentary “valuable”, “important”, “educational” and “inspirational”.
And The Telegraph’s five-star review said: “This was a powerful look at a mental health emergency that’s in danger of scarring a generation.”
Writing on Twitter on Wednesday, Kemp offered heartfelt thanks “for the lovely words, reviews, articles and messages”.
“Please be the hero your friend needs,” he continued, going on to pay tribute to Lyons’ family.
