Roman Kemp to host UK version of Catfish?

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 5h

Roman Kemp is reportedly in "advanced talks" about hosting the upcoming UK version of Catfish for MTV.

Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp is reportedly in "advanced talks" to front the UK version of Catfish for MTV.

In the US show, host Nev Schulman helps people involved in online relationships connect with their other halves, whom they have never met in person - and invariably they are not usually who they have claimed to be.

Earlier this year, MTV in the UK put out a casting call for Catfish UK and according to The Sun, Kemp, 27, is now in the frame to take on the hosting role.

"Roman is the man with the golden touch when it comes to plum jobs on the telly at the moment and MTV are keen to get a slice of that pie. He was approached for a screen test at the end of last month and his team have been negotiating on fees," a source told the newspaper.

"For MTV and the production team behind Catfish here in the UK, Roman would be their ideal presenter for the show. He's quick-witted, funny and has a massive following on social media, which makes him the perfect person for their target audience.

"Catfish is massive over the pond and they think the British version could be just as successful. The first series is being planned over eight episodes, which will all be an hour long, and will air in 2021.

"They're casting at the moment for the perfect people to take part, but for MTV, their eyes are on the prize of landing Roman."

The original version of Catfish has now been a staple of the MTV schedules in the US for the last eight years.