Beloved television presenter Declan Donnelly has revealed a private, long-running battle with anxiety, sharing his experience in a candid podcast interview.
The Silent Struggle Behind the Smile
For over two decades, Declan 'Dec' Donnelly has been a fixture on British screens, known for his energetic and cheeky persona on hit shows like Britain's Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. However, the 50-year-old Geordie star has now admitted that behind his lively on-screen presence lies a persistent mental health challenge.
Speaking to Fearne Cotton on her Happy Place podcast, Donnelly confessed to suffering from a form of 'constant anxiety'. He described a relentless internal pressure that prevents him from relaxing, stating he 'can never sit down' without feeling he should be doing something more productive.
Voices in His Head and Seeking Help
'I struggle a bit with, it's kind of a low-level, constant anxiety about 'should be doing this' or 'I've got to be doing...',' Donnelly explained during the conversation, which was released on 19 January 2026.
He elaborated on the intrusive thoughts, saying: 'I struggle with that a lot, with trying to calm that voice in the back of your head that's going, 'no, you should be using this time more productively'.' To manage these feelings, Donnelly sought professional support, revealing he underwent a course of therapy approximately five or six years ago, which he found immensely beneficial.
Praise for Ant McPartlin's Personal Journey
Dec's personal revelation follows his long-time presenting partner Ant McPartlin's own well-documented challenges. McPartlin was convicted of drink-driving in 2018 after a high-profile incident, leading him to take significant steps to improve his wellbeing.
Donnelly has previously expressed admiration for McPartlin's commitment to self-improvement. In an interview with The Times, Dec stated: 'What I most admire is that with the challenges he’s faced, especially over the last few years, Ant took responsibility and real action. He worked on himself so much to get back not just to being himself but actually being a much better person than he was before.'
The duo's openness about their respective struggles highlights the silent battles that can exist alongside public success, encouraging a wider conversation about mental health and the importance of seeking help.
