Tom Fletcher returns to The Voice UK for his third series as a coach, hoping to discover new talent through blind auditions. The 41-year-old McFly singer-songwriter and children's author has enjoyed much success, but he has also spoken candidly about his mental health struggles.
Struggles kept from wife
Tom has suffered from depression and bipolar disorder, and previously opened up about how he kept this from his wife, Giovanna Fletcher, the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcaster, reports the Mirror. He recounted to presenter and author Fearne Cotton how he tried to hide his low moods from his wife.
Tom explained: "I would struggle with down periods - I'm sure I was a nightmare to be with, but I kept much of it from [my wife] Giovanna." He added: "Like many men, quite often I would hide it from the people I was closest to."
Diagnosis after documentary
The musician explained that he had suffered from mood swings since childhood, but that wasn't the only thing affecting him. He also recounted that his weight "became an issue" after he struggled with eating and stopped, substituting it with coffee.
Things came to a head in 2011 when he was watching Stephen Fry's candid documentary The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive. Tom said: "He shared his story of bipolar disorder and depression, and it sounded exactly like me. I just cried."
Speaking out and campaigning
The star went on to get help and therapy, receiving a diagnosis which he said he'd "never thought about it being a definable mental health condition before". He still didn't tell anyone for a long time and was later, after getting a diagnosis for bipolar disorder, that he finally started to speak out.
Tom added: "Since then, more and more people have spoken out about their mental health. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Tom has since spoken openly about his mental health, and both he and wife Giovanna have addressed their respective struggles after the podcaster suffered a baby loss earlier this year on Happy Mum, Happy Baby's 300th episode. Both are now prominent mental health campaigners in the UK, who have discussed postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, and pressures of parenting as part of the Where's Your Head At? campaign.
If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk. For help and support on eating disorders contact Beat Eating Disorders on 0808 801 0677.
The Voice UK airs on ITV tonight at 7pm.
