Fitness coach Joe Wicks moved the nation last night in an emotional documentary which saw him reflect on his upbringing. The 36-year-old, who is best known for keeping British schoolchildren fit when lockdown meant that they couldn't do their PE lessons, shed some light on his experience of being brought up by parents who were mentally ill.
The hour-long programme, which aired on Monday night (May 16) on BBC One, saw Joe Wicks, who is also known as The Body Coach, reflecting on growing up with an OCD-stricken mother and a father who was addicted to heroin. Along his journey of reflection, 'Joe Wicks: Facing My Childhood', saw the author sit down with his family members and friends to engage in candid conversations.
Joe, who grew up on a council estate in Surrey, quite often spent long periods of time without seeing his parents, as both attended rehab centres. When Joe was just 12 years old his mother spent five months in rehab, leaving him and his brothers in the care of their father.
Read more: Bristolian laughter yoga instructor keeps on laughing despite BGT 'cutting' audition
At multiple points in the programme, Joe was reduced to tears as he recounted his childhood, and found out things about his upbringing that he didn't know before - including his mother's time in rehab. And it appears that Joe was not the only one who found the experience emotional, as tearful viewers watching along at home extended their support to the fitness coach on social media.
"That had me in tears," wrote Amy Hardy. "Really emotional, you are really brave talking about from where you were then to where you are now."
Amy added: "You have been absolutely amazing, you have helped loads of people including myself. Very inspirational - proud of you."
Emsy Sinclair Tweeted: "The Joe Wicks documentary is such an eye opener on the impact of adult mental health on children. I think Joe is inspirational."
Susan Adams said: "I’ve said before and I’ll say it again. Joe Wicks is a national treasure."
"Joe Wicks seems such a lovely guy. When you've grown up in that environment some people make damn sure that history doesn't repeat itself" Jacqui said.
Hannah wrote: "Joe Wicks is such a lovely man. He’s truly an inspiration. This programme is so insightful and needed more than ever. Mental Health is all around us and education is so important."
"I knew that @thebodycoach would be incredible tonight," wrote Kate D. "But 8 mins in and it’s already setting the bar really high for raising awareness, reducing stigma and normalising conversations around #mentalhealth."
Joe has two children of his own, Indie and Marley, with his wife, Rosie, who he married in 2019. The couple have a third child on the way, who is due in September.
Although Joe wants to give his children an upbringing much different to the one he endured, he thinks it's important that he does not shelter them from his past. He said: "I think it's important to bring them into the conversation and let them know about my history.
"Because they live in this wonderful house… and I want them to understand that not everyone lives in these houses and has the holidays that we do.
"I want them to appreciate our life and be grateful and thankful and know that the history of our family really created all of this, it really did. So, I'm going to talk to them openly and get them talking about their mental health as much as I can when they start going to school and get on phones and stuff like that."
If you missed Joe Wicks: Facing My Childhood, you can watch it on BBC iPlayer.
Let us know your thoughts on this story by logging in and dropping a comment down below.
