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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Danni Scott

Ex-campmate Roman Kemp says Matt Hancock won’t win I’m A Celeb

Being in the I'm A Celeb jungle is a unique experience for everyone, with celebrities facing their fears and rising to the challenges - or failing to get stars and shouting "get me out of here!"

Roman Kemp remembers his time in the jungle fondly and has weighed in on this year's campmates and offered a unique way of getting though the bushtucker trials.

The Capital FM DJ entered I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here back in 2019, charming the public and going all the way to finish third after campmates Jacqueline Jossa and Andy Whyment.

Roman sailed through the jungle, winning precious stars for camp and never once entering the bottom two for elimination - but he appreciates not everyone can appeal to the public so easily.

The radio star has been impressed with campmate Owen Warner (ITV/REX)

The 29-year-old laughed as he said he doesn't think divisive campmate Matt Hancock will be crowned king of the jungle but added that he doesn't "envy him at all".

Roman told The Mirror: "I'm not someone that enjoys anyone being put in front of almost a public execution."

"[Being in there with him] would have made me feel uncomfortable, of course it would have!" he added, "But at the end of the day when you're in there, you just have to get on with what's in front of you.

"It's a TV show! Whatever is in front of you, you've got to deal with that. I'm sure some of the campmates are almost feeling like it's a trial."

Matt Hancock's appearance is 'almost a public execution' (Uber Eats)
Roman loved his time in the I'm A Celeb jungle in 2019 (Uber Eats)

Instead, Roman revealed who he was rooting for to win: "You know who I've really got a lot of respect for and I think he's made such a lovely account for himself - is Owen."

He added: "What a nice boy he is and that's not me being condescending. I mean that, I think so many people were quick to say 'oh, this lad is stupid' but I'll be honest, my view on him has changed and that's a credit to him and I'm sure his family are very proud."

The DJ's time in the jungle showed him an extreme example of the importance food can have in our lives and on our mental health. It's commonly remarked on by campmates how crucial to their mindset getting enough stars for their meal is.

In collaboration with Uber Eats, the son of Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp has launched Mindful Mouthful to help people take a moment to themselves and reconnect with food. The 10 minute audio guide, narrated by Roman, is designed to get listeners in a serene state before eating.

The radio star recalled how he "had actual tears" at being able to eat half a wagon wheel in the jungle. "There is all the time [on I'm A Celeb] to think about what you're putting in your body," he explained, "There couldn't be a better example of mindful eating.

"I was so aware of every taste. Every second that that was in my mouth - I was in tears."

"When you're in I'm A Celeb, you don't think about food as a treat - you think about food as fuel, which is interesting, your view on food is different." he shared. "It teaches you to be less greedy"

For the 29 year old, the I'm A Celeb jungle allowed him to let go of the radio personality 'Roman Kemp' and just be 'Ro'. He described it as a place where you can "really be yourself" and misses "every second of it".

Roman imagined his friends laughing at him to get through trials (REX)

In those moments where he did struggle, Roman simply thought of his friends to get him through the challenges. However, he didn't think of them supporting him or giving words of encouragement.

"Whenever I was having a s*** time. in there. All I would think about is how much my friends must be p***ing themselves watching me," he laughed, "And what I mean by that isn't 'oh because I'm so funny' - I mean because I'm having a horrible time."

"The second I started thinking about that, the more bearable it became."

Distraction in the face of being buried alive is one thing but Roman said he makes the conscious effort to practice mindfulness daily in an effort to keep anxiety at bay. Throughout his career, Roman has highlighted the need for mindfulness practices and mental health support.

To encourage mindful eating, Roman has released an audio guide (Uber Eats)

Mindful Mouthful hopes to "help people to take time for themselves", especially with such a busy period as Christmas around the corner.

Roman believes reconnecting with your food and taking that moment to breathe makes all the difference for your mental health.

"Life isn't about restriction, life's about enjoyment." Roman concluded. "And if you can do it in the right way then then you're winning."

Mindful Mouthful is available for free on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

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