Roman Kemp has said he has been struggling with a debilitating medical condition thanks to his hectic showbiz schedule.
The Capital Breakfast show has had a tough time with sleep apnoea, which causes him to have to sleep with special medical equipment.
The son of Spandau Ballet and EastEnders star Martin Kemp told the Mail: "My tiredness levels were debilitating, and they said to me it was because of my job and I said this is different.
"I was talking with people where I thought I was verging on narcolepsy because I was mid-conversation and would be snoring and not realising, it was very strange."
Roman has revealed he plans to step away from showbiz within the next five years.
He said: "I want a decade on air at least. I would love to be able to say I did a decade on that show – whether my bosses will allow that I don't know."
So what is sleep apnoea?
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a medical condition in which a person's breathing stops and starts during sleep.
The most common form of the condition is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), Mayo Clinic explained: "This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring."
Mild sleep apnoea does not have to be treated but is still worth investigating with your GP if you or another person notices symptoms, as the problem can have knock-on effects like high blood pressure, depression or an increased risk of a stroke.
If a person is diagnosed with sleep apnoea, they may have to use a CPAP machine, which "gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep".
Roman joked that his love life doesn't look great after being forced to wear the special mask when he sleeps.
He said: "The doctors told me I must wear an oxygen mask. There is absolutely nothing sexy about going back to Roman Kemp's house.
"They are expecting candles and mood lighting but they're getting a Darth Vader impression into an oxygen tank."
What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?
Symptoms of sleep apnoea include a person's breathing stopping and starting when they are asleep, as well as loud snoring.
The NHS lists the following as symptoms:
- breathing stopping and starting
- making gasping, snorting or choking noises
- waking up a lot
- loud snoring
Some symptoms also appear when a person is awake and include general tiredness and finding it hard to concentrate, but also mood swings and headaches when a patient wakes up.
The NHS said there are things a person can do to help the condition if the symptoms are mild, such as trying to lose weight (if a person is overweight) and sleeping on your side.
To make sure you do this, the health service suggests taping a tennis ball to the back of your pyjamas, or buying a special pillow.
People can also avoid sleeping pills, alcohol and smoking to help with the condition.
