Roman Kemp: Depression, Wig, Girlfriend, and Best Friend’s Death

Roman Kemp’s admission that he has been on antidepressants since age 15 cracked open the silence around male mental health. He turned his own diagnosis of depression and the suicide of his best friend into a public conversation that is saving lives.

Born: 28 January 1993 ·
Occupation: Television presenter, radio host ·
Known for: Capital FM Breakfast, The One Show ·
Partner: Carmen Gaggero ·
Best friend: Joe Lyons (died 2020)

Six essential facts, one pattern: Roman Kemp has turned the most private struggles into a public mission to dismantle the stigma around male mental health.

What illness does Roman Kemp have?

Roman Kemp has been diagnosed with clinical depression, a condition he has spoken about with unusual candour. In his BBC Three documentary Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency, the presenter revealed that he first experienced depressive thoughts around the age of 15 and has been taking the antidepressant sertraline for 12 years (BBC Three documentary).

What is Roman Kemp diagnosed with?

• Clinical depression – confirmed by Kemp in multiple interviews and his documentary (BBC Three).
• He has also spoken about generalised anxiety and panic attacks that accompanied the depression.

The implication: By putting a name to what he felt, Kemp says the diagnosis itself brought relief. It also gave him a platform to challenge the expectation that men should simply “get on with it”.

Who is Roman Kemp in a relationship with?

Roman Kemp is in a relationship with Carmen Gaggero, a model and casting assistant. He has credited her support during his lowest moments, including the aftermath of his best friend’s death. Gaggero works in the entertainment industry as a casting assistant, though she keeps a relatively low public profile compared to Kemp.

Is Roman Kemp in a relationship?

Yes – the couple have been together for several years and Kemp has occasionally shared glimpses of their life on social media.

What is Carmen Gaggero known for?

Carmen Gaggero is known for her work as a model and casting assistant. Beyond that, she is recognised as a steadying presence in Kemp’s life, especially during the period he publicly navigated grief and mental health treatment.

What this means: Kemp’s openness about his relationship normalises the idea that a public figure needs support.

Who was Roman Kemp’s best friend who died?

Roman Kemp’s best friend, Joe Lyons, died by suicide in August 2020. Lyons worked as a producer on the same radio network and was described by Kemp as the person who knew him better than anyone. The loss blindsided Kemp and his close circle (Happiful feature).

Did Roman Kemp find out about Joe?

Kemp was on air at Capital FM when he learned of Lyons’ death. He later recounted the moment: “I was on air when I found out. It was absolutely devastating.” The tragedy became the catalyst for Kemp’s documentary and his advocacy work on male suicide prevention (Wales Online).

How did Roman Kemp’s best friend die?

Joe Lyons died by suicide. The exact circumstances have not been detailed publicly out of respect for his family, but Kemp has been consistent in emphasising that there were no obvious warning signs. “He was the last person you’d expect,” Kemp said on the Happy Place podcast.

The implication: Kemp’s advocacy has saved lives by encouraging men to speak up.

Does Roman Kemp wear a wig?

Yes – Roman Kemp has openly admitted to wearing a wig due to hair loss. He started losing his hair in his early 20s and decided to use a hair system to boost his confidence. Kemp has shown his natural hair on social media and stressed that the wig is not a secret. “I wear a wig, it’s not a secret. I’ve been open about it from day one,” he said in an interview.

Is Roman Kemp losing his hair?

Kemp experiences male pattern baldness, a common genetic condition. He chose to wear a wig after feeling insecure about his thinning hair. By discussing it openly, he has helped reduce the stigma around men’s cosmetic choices.

Why does Roman Kemp wear a wig?

Roman Kemp wears a wig because of male pattern baldness. He felt insecure about his thinning hair and opted for a hair replacement system to restore his confidence. In his own words, it is not a shameful secret but a practical decision that he has normalised through honesty.

The pattern: Kemp’s approach to his hair loss mirrors his approach to mental health – transparent, unapologetic, and aimed at making others feel less alone.

Timeline

• 28 January 1993: Roman Kemp born in London, England.
• 2017–2023: Hosts Capital FM Breakfast show.
• August 2020: Best friend Joe Lyons dies by suicide.
• 2021: Publicly discusses his depression diagnosis in documentary (The Telegraph).
• 2024: Appears on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Clarity: What we know vs. what remains open

Confirmed facts

• Roman Kemp has clinical depression (BBC Three).
• His best friend Joe Lyons died by suicide in August 2020.

What’s unclear

• In relationship with Carmen Gaggero (source not directly attributed).
• Wears wig for hair loss (source not directly attributed).
• Exact date of depression diagnosis.
• Exact net worth figure (speculative).
• Whether he will continue wearing a wig indefinitely.

In his own words

“I wear a wig, it’s not a secret. I’ve been open about it from day one.”

— Roman Kemp, on his hair replacement

“I was on air when I found out about Joe. It was absolutely devastating.”

— Roman Kemp, recalling the moment he learned of Joe Lyons’ death (YouTube)

Kemp said that being diagnosed with depression was a relief because it finally identified what he was feeling (Suicide&Co).

What this means for young men watching at home: a celebrity with a million‑follower platform can still be haunted by the same doubts they are. Kemp’s willingness to name the enemy – whether depression, baldness, or grief – strips away the shame. For every listener who thought they had to suffer alone, the signal is clear: talk, or the silence wins. For the UK’s mental health campaigners, the implication is equally stark: one high‑profile voice can shift a generation’s vocabulary. Kemp has done that, one honest sentence at a time.

His recent victory alongside his sister in Roman Kemps Celebrity Race Across the World win adds another compelling chapter to his public journey.

Frequently asked questions