Interview with Roman Kemp on The Finishing Line

What’s the premise of The Finish Line?

So, it’s a race, essentially – a race to that finish line. It couldn’t be more simple than that.

Each contestant has to go through a qualifying round, pretty similar to a qualifying lap that they would do in F1. When they do this it’ll either put them into lane one, two, three, four, or five. And that means they’ll either receive the first or the last question.

Now, get that question right, and your podium starts moving and you’re on your way to the finish line. But the second you get a question wrong and your podium will stop. And at that point you’re going to hope that the next person gets their question wrong so that their podium stops, and your turn comes round quicker. So, it’s a race of knowledge, but with some serious pace, and if you can’t keep up, then you’re out.

Do you have to be a bit of a quiz boffin to take part?

Do you know what? No.

It’s interesting, because sometimes the quiz can fall in your favour, like naming popstars, actors or sports stars. I think the great thing about The Finish Line is that this isn't like University Challenge, these are all questions that you are likely to know, but can you answer them within the time limit? That's the tricky thing.

How did you feel when you got the call to host the show?

Yeah, it was something that the guys at ITV Studios, Potato, had been developing for a while. It's been really nice because I really felt like I've seen the beginning of this show, in its real early kind of development with the guys. And I just knew early on it was something I wanted to do. I went back to my agent, and I said, "This is the one that fits.”

There's been iconic quiz masters over the years like Chris Tarrant, Anne Robinson and Bruce Forsyth, were you nervous to step into that arena?

Yes and no. I think Chris Tarrant [I was nervous to step into the shoes of], who got his fame through doing quizzes on the radio and things like that.

On the radio show I do Mega-Hard Super Quiz, and that's a five-minute bit of escapism for everyone listening. And it's a show-off to your mate down the pub. "Oh, I've got every single question right." "Oh, I would've won the money." People that come on, they're the ones that try to put their brain where their mouth is, obviously!

When it comes to competition, especially with members of the general public and when it’s for money that really could help someone, it’s so important to be able to capture that. It's just so much fun.

Did you get any advice from anyone from the quiz world before filming?

You know what, not really. I think it's just from years of playing with friends and family. And also lockdown was amazing for me being able to practice because all my mates would always make me do all the pub quizzes and host all the events. So, I think I was hosting about four quizzes a week at one point, it was a good training ground!

But no, I've always been someone that would much rather be in control of the mechanics and watch someone make their way to victory. I like that. And look, I'm there to help contestants get there.

That’s a skill in itself because the race depends on how quickly you can read the questions…

Oh my god, I'm terrified that when I took on the show, it's not the people or the quiz that I was afraid of, it's how they're relying on me getting the questions out so quickly. I honestly think with this quiz show we might just break a world record for the number of questions there are in one episode. Oh my god, it's unbelievable! Throughout the series, I think we did over 4,000 questions. And so, there was big pressure there.

I remember I shot the first episode, the first day of filming, and I was just like, "I can't do this." I'd made a couple of mistakes. My head was really, really down. It's the first time I've really doubted myself in a long time. I remember calling my mum and being like, "I'm really scared. I don't know if I can do this." That first day of filming I went to bed at seven o'clock that night because I just wanted it to be the next day so I could go up there and prove myself. And, you know what, as soon as you get that rhythm, you're in.

What's Sarah's role in the show?

To be honest, Sarah is my eyes and ears. Sarah has such a key role, because I'm going through so many things so quickly and I'm running the race for people. Sarah gets to watch. She's almost like the commentator that I go to at the end and say, "Sarah, tell me, what just happened there?" She goes through it and she kind of provides that lovely bit of motivation, because our contestants get to look at a lovely face as they reach towards that finish line... Like the mum there just cheering them on!

Had you met before this?

I'd never met her before, but I was aware of her prestige and fame. Everyone that I've told that I'm doing a show with Sarah, have all gone, "Oh my god, no way.” I go to Sarah all the time for advice. She's been there and she's done it, and I have such huge respect for her. She was basically like my mum on set. If I had felt like I wasn't doing well enough or anything, she'd be there going, "Come on darling, you're doing so great, you're doing so great."

Did you do anything before filming to get that bond, or did it just happen naturally?

Yeah, we went for a meal, but trying to get Sarah to leave is the problem! She just loves chatting! When a breakfast radio DJ tells you that they've met someone that chats more than them, you know there's an issue!

Are you any good at quizzes?

I’m always in the middle, neither here nor there. I think I’d be rubbish if I went on a TV quiz though, because I’m bad under pressure. The people that are good at this game are the people that are able to answer quickly under pressure.

My kind of introduction to the world of quizzing was with my nan when I was growing up watching The Weakest Link with her. I always used to be fascinated by the show. And, genuinely, I used to watch her sit there twiddling her thumbs, answering and reeling off each question, it was unbelievable! But those genes didn’t get passed down, unfortunately!

Are you competitive when it comes to quizzes in the Kemp house?

I don't know if we are. But I think we love creating stuff, do you know what I mean? My family will be like, "Oh yes, Roman, you read the quiz, I'll do the music for the quiz, Harley will film it." My dad's the contestant. That's kind of what it’s like.

But definitely with me amongst my friend group we're very, very competitive!

Did it get competitive between the contestants?

Yeah, massively! You see the change in their attitude. Especially when it starts whittling down until there's only one person allowed on the track playing for the money. And when it gets to that head-to-head, where they've beaten off all their other opponents, there's only two of them left there. There's some real kind of... I guess ‘housery’ is the word!

You see people trying to figure out the best way to play the game. But really, the best way to play the game is by answering as quickly as you can, it's as simple as that. That was one of my favourite bits, watching people try and see if they could figure out a shortcut way of getting to the finish line, and there's not.

Were there any nail-biting finishes?

Every single episode! That's the part of this show that I implore someone to watch it, because you cannot sit still. It's impossible to watch without either shouting out loud and cheering or just burying your head in sadness at the person missing out. I honestly think that I've seen more than five people miss out on the prize money by about five centimetres. And that's not an exaggeration!

There are some really amazing winners in there but also some really sad losses, too. You really want them to win but when they don’t quite get there, you're gutted for them at the end - but that's the game.

Have you had any funny moments during filming where you’re like, "I can't believe that just happened!"

Sarah Greene loves an innuendo. And there's no limit to how dirty that innuendo is! I don't know if it's intentional or unintentional, but my word! People thought I would be the one for that. She's the best. And she was referred to as Her Majesty the whole time. It was lovely.

In one episode a contestant proposes to her…

Let me tell you, there are lots of blokes that proposed to Sarah throughout the show!

It wasn’t just marriage offers; you offered your dad up as a wedding DJ?

Oh yeah. Well, he needs the money. Do you know what I mean?! We had a contestant that wanted an Elvis impersonator at her wedding, but she didn't win the money and she missed out. And so, I offered up dad for 50 quid. And if she wants to get in touch with my dad, then yeah, go for it!

Quiz shows often go viral when contestants get the answers very wrong, were there any funny gaffs during filming?

Oh my God, yes! Unfortunately, we've also just basically given It'll Be Alright On The Night their next series!

I think my favourite one from the series is, “What is the first consonant in the English alphabet?” And the answer being said was ‘Antarctica’. Or, “In the nursery rhyme, who fell off the wall?” And the answer gave was ‘Little Bo Peep’.

It just shows what happens to your brain under pressure though. That’s why it’s brilliant! That’s where it becomes hard, trying not to laugh at people’s failure is really hard sometimes!

Did you put your foot in it in any way?

Me? Oh my God, so many times! Do you know what it is? Its pronunciation as well at pace is difficult. I'm human, you know what I mean? I'm not a robot!

What were the sort of things that people wanted the prize money for?

Oh, there were lots of lovely things. I never really wanted people to just save it.

So, there were a lot of dream holidays that we have on the agenda, and one bloke is on there trying to win his wife's dream wedding dress. I mean it's almost like the husband has been sent on just to get the dress! That’s a lot of pressure. Then we had one guy whose dad had passed away and had given him a car and he's trying to renovate it.

Would you like to do a celebrity version and who would you want on?

Oh my God, 100%!

I'd have to get my dad on. I wouldn't be able to stop laughing. I'd like to get all the other quiz show hosts on. As many hosts as I can get. Let's see if they can cut it under the pressure, and they get a next series if they win!

How does it feel hosting this kind of show compared to the radio?

BBC has shown such massive faith in me, putting me on telly. I'm so grateful to them for giving me the opportunity.

I think with this I’m with people every day who welcome me at teatime into their home. It's a massive moment in my career and it's one that I'm so grateful to be able to do and one that I really hope that I can provide some form of entertainment for people.

How would you sum up the show in three words?

Fast, furious, brains!