I’m proud of Lewis Capaldi for putting his mental health first even if it means he misses gigs, says friend Roman Kemp
AROUND 90,000 fans will be descending on Wembley Stadium tomorrow for the biggest summer party of the year.
But despite flying high at the top of the charts, with the fastest-selling album of the year, Lewis Capaldi will not be on the line-up of huge names.
He surprised fans this week by announcing he is stepping back from the show and all other commitments for three weeks, admitting he was struggling to cope.
And Summertime Ball host Roman Kemp, a close pal of the Scottish singer, says he couldn’t be prouder of his mate for speaking out despite the disappointment he won’t be able to party on the night.
Roman, who hosts Capital FM’s weekday breakfast show, tells me: “Of course I’m gutted we won’t see him — but actually I’m really proud of him for speaking out.
“It’s so important people realise it’s OK to take time out and look after yourself and your mental wellbeing — so somebody like Lewis who is so honest and open with fans can make a real difference.
“I sent him a message wishing him well and hopefully he’ll feel back to his best again soon.
“But it’s so brave to speak out, especially when you are at the very top of your game like he is.
“There’s an assumption that if you’re very successful and things are going well you can’t struggle with mental health, but that just isn’t true.
“He’s setting a great example to people and I wish him all the best.”
Despite Lewis pulling out, the line-up is still packed with star names including headliners Calvin Harris, Jess Glynne, Niall Horan, The Jonas Brothers and Ellie Goulding.
But Roman has a trick up his sleeve to get himself noticed among all the A-listers — by climbing on to the roof of the vast stadium to open the show.
He says with a laugh: “The thing is, we always try and have a bit of a stunt to get things started, and this sounded like a great idea.
“But we haven’t worked out how we’re going to get me down afterwards.
“I asked about doing like a bungee thing down to the stage, but let’s be honest — I don’t want to mess my hair up.
“It’ll be a challenge, but I’m excited. How can you not be excited by Wembley Stadium?
“I’ve not made it as a footballer, so this is as close as I’m going to get.”
This year’s event will be broadcast on ITV1 for the first time, airing on Saturday, June 17 in a highlights package fronted by Roman.
And he’s vowed to savour every second after being advised by dad Martin Kemp, whose band Spandau Ballet performed at the venue during Live Aid but didn’t quite appreciate it at the time.
Despite the huge party, Roman admits he won’t be sticking around to party long into the night after struggling to get up for his early morning show, which he presents alongside co-hosts Sian Welby and Chris Stark.
He adds: “I’ve learnt my lesson. Sian is the party animal usually — I’ve seen her host a show with a plastic bucket next to her microphone — and Chris hasn’t done this before so I reckon he might get carried away.
“I’ll stick around and hang out but I know when to call it quits these days. As Ed Sheeran sings, ‘Nothing happens after two’.”
The star, who also regularly presents The One Show on BBC1, will be spending today’s build-up at a doctor’s clinic after damaging his knee, in the hope that painkilling injections will help him get through the show.
But it won’t stop him dancing along to the biggest names on the night as he backs Adam Lambert to blow the roof off the stadium by performing Queen hits and Calvin to close the show in style.
Roman explains: “There’s something about the idea of Queen songs at Wembley that you can’t help getting excited by.
“And Calvin is just a megastar with so many hits. It’s going to be a banging show.”
Last year Roman’s pal Harry Styles headlined — but the radio DJ barely recognised him when he recently bumped into the former One Direction heart-throb at a London gym because he was looking so buff.
He revealed: “I saw him from behind, and it was only the tattoos that gave it away.
“He’s really muscled up. He looks good for it, but he joked that he looks like he’s joined Geordie Shore.
“I’m sure his fans won’t complain.”
Fury aimed at England
ENGLAND players who go up against boxer Tommy Fury and the World XI in tomorrow’s Soccer Aid need to watch out.
The former Love Islander has warned he won’t be pulling any punches in the charity match.
He said in an exclusive chat at a training session yesterday: “There will be bones shed.
“I will be slide-tackling hard. There will be no love lost on Sunday.”
Tommy was joined by fellow ex-Love Islander Kem Cetinay, and the pair let slip they had been up at 4am – but insisted it wasn’t at one of Soccer Aid’s notorious pre-match parties.
Instead, Tommy said their late night was because they were at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, training for the annual match which has raised more than £75million for Unicef since it began in 2006.
Kem said: “We were at the gym at 4am. He has been on at me. He said, ‘Kem, no drinking, no unhealthy food’.”
Along with Tommy, Joel Corry is also making his debut at the game, playing for England.
He and team-mate Tom Grennan spoke to me, and revealed that their secret weapon was rapper Bugzy Malone.
Tom said: “Bugzy is a machine, he is a big defender.”
Joel added: “He is a powerhouse. They have Usain Bolt on the other team, so it will be a good battle. It’ll be a war.”
Little Bit Of Love singer Tom also confirmed he would be getting his guitar out for a few tunes at the after- party – once he had finished his gig in Gloucestershire.
He added: “I wasn’t at the party last night and I have a gig tonight.
“I will come back and play some chilled-out ones.
“There are no caners here. What happens at Soccer Aid stays at Soccer Aid.”
Let’s hope the England management team of Harry Redknapp, Stormzy, Vicky McClure, Emma Hayes and David Seaman didn’t catch Danny Dyer sneaking off for a cigarette during a break in training then.
Fans can watch the action on ITV tomorrow from 6.30pm.
Given that the World XI have won the last four clashes, I hope England can finally clinch it.
YOU have to do a double take before recognising this cowgirl as she shoots a Wild West video.
But here is Anne-Marie, who dyed her hair dark specially for the job in Kent ahead of her performance at Capital’s Summertime Ball tomorrow.
My exclusive photo shows her in tight leather trousers as temperatures soared on Thursday, while she filmed the visuals for her Shania Twain collaboration Unhealthy.
Anne-Marie,who has been riding high in the charts with her David Guetta collaboration Baby Don’t Hurt Me, will release her third album, also called Unhealthy, on July 28.
Then later in the year she will be heading out on the road for her own arena tour.
GRACE JONES is still living up to her reputation as the ultimate diva aged 75 – by demanding fresh oysters backstage ahead of her appearance at Cambridge Club Festival.
The Pull Up To The Bumper singer headlined the event last night and had her rider feast prepared by local celebrity chef Tristan Welch.
As well as oysters, she was treated to scallops and sashimi – along with a quirky treat.
Tristan promised to give her one of his trademark drinks backstage at the event, which will be headlined by Lionel Richie tonight, and said he would share a video of it on his TikTok page.
He told me: “I’ll be serving my old banana and used-coffee iced shake to give Grace a bit of boost for the show.”
FORMER bandmates Liam Payne and Zayn Malik are moving in different directions.
I can reveal Liam is back with US model Kate Cassidy after a month’s break but his ex-One Direction pal is single once again.
Zayn had been linked to Selena Gomez but she has now insisted she is very much single.
Confirming the news in a TikTok video, Selena revealed in a playful clip: “I’m single. I’m just a little high maintenance.”
Meanwhile, a source added of Liam and Kate: “They never lost contact when she returned to America last month.
“He realised he’d made a mistake by ending things.
“Liam’s schedule is packed for the second half of 2023 but they are both on the same page.
“Kate moved her stuff out last month but then she flew back to the UK this week.
“They want to make it work.”
SHAWN MENDES is putting the hurt from his split from Camilla Cabello on record, just two days after I revealed they’d broken up again.
He spent all of Thursday in the studio – the same day my story came out – then yesterday rush- released the song he wrote.
It is called What The Hell Are We Dying For? and in it he sings: “I see it in the news, I see it in your eyes, ooh.
“I try to let you go, then I choke, I change my mind. Let’s face the truth, I’m terrified.
“If we don’t love like we used to, if we don’t care like we used to, what the hell are we dying for?
“If it doesn’t cut like it used to, if you’re not mine and I’m not yours, what the hell are we dying for?”
Something tells me he isn’t over her just yet.
CONGRATULATIONS to Leigh-Anne Pinnock, who’s finally confirmed she has married footballer Andre Gray.
The couple, who have been together for seven years and have two kids, tied the knot last weekend in Jamaica.
The Little Mix singer said they had the “most incredible” day.
In a newsletter to fans yesterday, she wrote: “So much has happened since we last caught up. First of all . . . I’m a married woman! Eeeek!
“Andre and I had the most incredible wedding surrounded by love in a place that’s so special to both of us. Thank you all for showing us so much love & support.”
But she certainly isn’t taking it easy with a relaxing honeymoon.
Earlier this week Leigh-Anne released a teaser of her debut solo single and she has now confirmed there is less than a week to wait until it is out.
She added: “Now it’s time to get back to work. And now the work really begins!
“I’m so excited to finally announce that my debut single is coming next week, June 16!
“It’s called Don’t Say Love and I have to say, it’s a frickin’ BOP! I just know you guys are going to love it.”