The Voice UK coach Tom Fletcher has spoken openly about his mental health, revealing he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after living with intense mood swings since childhood.
The 41-year-old McFly singer-songwriter and author returns to the spinning red chair as a coach on ITV’s The Voice UK this evening (Saturday, August 22). The musician previously told Fearne Cotton how the condition had affected him from a young age. He explained: "Ever since I was a child, I've always been highly emotional. I'd feel excited one moment, then the polar opposite the next. But I think everyone just thought that's who I was."
Bipolar disorder explained
According to the NHS: “Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where you have extreme mood changes. Medicines and talking therapy can help manage it.” Some of the main symptoms include high moods and low moods, which last a few days or weeks at a time. However, the NHS goes on to state that there are times when a person’s mood is stable, and they don’t have any symptoms for weeks, months or even years.
It wasn’t just mood swings that affected Tom. He stopped eating, choosing to “just” drink coffee, saying it was “so unhealthy”. He also kept much of his mental health struggles from his wife, actress and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher. The musician reflected that he was sure he was “a nightmare to be with” during his down periods. “Like many men, quite often I would hide it from the people I was closest to,” Tom said.
Depression and a defining moment
Tom also explained to Mother and Baby in 2025 how he suffered from depression as part of their Where's Your Head At? campaign. He admitted he only realised he had depression after watching a Stephen Fry documentary back in 2011, which moved him to tears. Tom said: “I was at a particularly low point when I saw it, and it was that that made me reach out and go and speak to someone. It was a really defining moment of my life.” He went on to say he was now in a “really good place” and said the programme was “so important” for him, adding: “That really changed my life.”
Since then, Tom has been going from success to success after recently winning a highly coveted Olivier Award in April in the Best New Musical category for Paddington: The Musical. He wrote the music and lyrics for the musical, which will make its Broadway debut in spring 2027.
Returning to The Voice UK
Before then, Tom will be trying to find the next big pop star on The Voice UK. Alongside Tom, Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and Danny Jones will be returning to the show. There will be a new face joining them this time, with Destiny’s Child legend Kelly Rowland also becoming a coach. This year, there will also be a big change with the Rewind button, which will allow the coaches to bring someone back after regretting letting them go the first time.
The Voice UK starts on ITV tonight at 7pm. 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.
