Radio presenter Roman Kemp has opened up about his "debilitating" sleep apnoea diagnosis and how he plans to retire in five years' time.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Kemp, 29, mentioned how he thought at first he had narcolepsy, which causes a person to suddenly fall asleep, but in fact had sleep apnoea, which causes your breathing to stop and start when you’re asleep.

In order to tackle it, Kemp, who presents the breakfast show on Capital FM, must now wear an oxygen mask to bed.

He said: “I recently got diagnosed with sleep apnoea, which has been rubbish.

“My tiredness levels were debilitating, and they said to me it was because of my job and I said this is different.

News Shopper: Kemp thought at first that he had narcolepsy (PA)Kemp thought at first that he had narcolepsy (PA)

“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.

“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. My love life will look like a niche Channel 5 documentary!”

'I want to get to the point where I start a family and do what I want to do'

Alongside this Kemp shed light on how being famous doesn't interest him, and the reason he works is that he wants to “retire as a young person”.

He said: “I am terrified that I will spend my life on a tiny island that is the UK trying to get people to like me.

“I want to get to the point where I start a family and do what I want to do. I want to be a stay-at-home dad and open a dog sanctuary.”

Kemp also mentioned how he was now jealous of the life former Radio 1 breakfast show Nick Grimshaw was now living.

He said: “I have done the Capital breakfast show for five years now, which has gone by in an instant.

“I remember when I first got the gig, I spoke to Nick Grimshaw, and I said, “What am I in for?”. He said, “It’s tough, but it’s the most fun you will ever have.” I can only say that he’s right.

News Shopper: Kemp plans to have spent a decade on the radio before retiring (PA)Kemp plans to have spent a decade on the radio before retiring (PA)

“I am so jealous of Nick’s life now because he’s having so much fun, he’s doing whatever he wants, he looks so happy, and he looks healthy. I can see the benefits of not doing a radio show.”

Kemp added: “I want a decade on the 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.

“Radio takes a long time, it takes two years to build an audience so really I’ve only had two years with them.”

What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?

On the NHS website it lists the symptoms of sleep apnoea as follows:

  • breathing stopping and starting
  • making gasping, snorting or choking noises
  • waking up a lot
  • loud snoring