Former bodybuilder Danny Andrews, the man behind the viral 'fish and a rice cake' meme, has revealed he is infertile after taking steroids as a teenager. The 37-year-old, from Preston, Lancashire, began using steroids in 2008 at age 18 due to bodybuilding pressures and stopped in 2013 after realising he was only taking them because he was "insecure".
Andrews, who featured in BBC Three's 2007 documentary Baby Faced Body Builders, said he never expected the side effects to affect his future. After trying to start a family for two years, he went to his GP for a semen analysis in 2015. Doctors told him he was infertile due to steroids, which affected the mobility of his sperm, and that it was "highly unlikely" for him to have children naturally.
Emotional impact and IVF plans
Andrews said he was left in tears and felt like he wasn't a "man" for not being able to have kids. He is now engaged to Sadie Bass, a 30-year-old influencer, after meeting on E4 dating show Love Triangle. He has tried medication and freezing his sperm and is due to start IVF soon.
"I used to do it all naturally and then felt the pressures of growing up and being in the bodybuilding world. I had a previous relationship and I was 26 and wanted to start a family," Andrews said. "We were trying for two years and I went to the doctors for a semen analysis. They told me I was infertile and I took it really bad."
"I've tried everything, medication, frozen my sperm - it's the motility of the sperm that's not very good. I was like, 'why me?'"
Opening up after a decade of secrecy
Despite knowing about his infertility for more than 10 years, Andrews kept it secret due to embarrassment. After young men reached out to him for advice, he shared his experience online. He now admits it wasn't worth it for "bigger biceps" and trains for longevity and health, speaking out to raise awareness.
"I've known for over 10 years but I didn't tell anybody, I was embarrassed. I didn't feel like a man, I felt ashamed. I felt like it was my fault but I was an 18-year-old," Andrews said. "Men don't talk about it, you only see women talking about it. It's taken me 10 years to come to terms with the fact I may not have a family."
"It used to affect all my relationships. I thought 'why would someone want somebody that can't have kids?' I realised I was taking them because I was insecure and wanted to be bigger and more muscular. Was it worth it for a bigger bicep to not have a family when you're older? It wasn't worth it."
Warning to young men
Andrews said he has always wanted kids and hopes to start a family before he turns 40. He claims the pressure on young men is worse now due to social media and warns against going on steroids.
"I've always wanted kids, especially now. At the time, you don't think about it and now for me it's a really big thing. I feel like a family man without a family. Hopefully it happens before I'm 40 because time is ticking, I feel like I'd make a great dad," he said.
"I just want to create awareness that men are not alone because they will not talk about it. It is even worse now for young lads because they've got the pressure of social media and steroids are so accessible. You hear all the benefits but you don't hear all the side effects, and when you do, you don't think it will ever happen to you. I'm worried about young lads who take them. You can get it all online, it's crazy."
