The Repair Shop's Jay Blades has revealed he once spent a week in his car sobbing, following the 'lowest moment' of his life.
The popular presenter, 52, makes the admission on tonight's Mind Matters with Dr. Sian at on 5 News.
Jay and his ex-wife Jade set up a charity called Out of the Dark, to train disadvantaged young people in furniture restoration.
However the charity lost funding, their marriage broke down, and he became homeless.
Revealing he was so low he thought about taking his own life, Jay said: “I think I sat in a car for about a week, just, like, people were just going past all the time and just doing what they were doing.
"I don't even remember going to the toilet. It was just a void. It was almost as if I was there, I know I was physically there, but I wasn't mentally there.”
Thankfully, Jay's friend found him in his car in Wolverhampton after Jade was contacted by the police.
But it was upon seeing a familiar face that the star broke down.
"He came to see me and I don't know what he said, he must have said something to me," Jay recalled.
"I remember sitting in his car and I just broke down crying. I mean, proper crying, snot, tears, the whole shebang."
After seeing his friend's suffering, Jay's pal offered him a job - there and then.
However, the host reveals he felt embarrassed because he hadn't washed for a week.
Jay explained: “He took me to the office. And I hadn't washed for a week. I smell my body odour and he's introducing me to all these people, I felt really exposed. It was like I walked into the place naked, because I didn't want to meet these people in the state that I was in.”
Still, while the star may have felt ashamed then, fast forward seven years and he's one of the Beeb's brightest talents hosting the much-loved Repair Shop.
The heartwarming show, which helps folk restore their prized possessions is a huge hit for the broadcaster and Jay is the jewel in its crown.
Explaining his disbelief at how far he's come, the presenter, who has been made an MBE for his services to craft, said: "The rest is history to a certain extent, because after that, showing my vulnerability, everything just started slotting into place.
"It's the weirdest thing. Very, very weird."
"I can still see seven years ago, and then to see where I am now, talking to you, doing whatever I'm doing. It's like, are you for real? Is this really your life now? Just because I showed my vulnerability."
Mind Matters with Dr Sian is on tonight on 5 News, Channel 5 at 5pm and available on podcast from 6pm
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
