Strictly Come Dancing star and Bake Off winner John Whaite has announced that he has been diagosed with ADHD at the age of 34. The baker, who was runner up on BBC One dancing show with Johannes Radebe in 2021, has been open in the past about his health including a battle with depression and bulimia and choosing to go sober after a rocky relationship with alcohol and on Sunday, July 2, he opened up his ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) - the discovery for which " I’m even more grateful".
Sharing a photo of himself, John wrote on Instagram a lengthy post that discussed the impact it has had on him growing up and why he's glad he's got this diagnosis. The condition, as stated by the NHS, is one which "affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse" and those with it "may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders".
The baking star began: "Am I posting this for a dopamine rush, or to inform? Well, it turns out, a little bit of both. Because I have ADHD, which explains a lot.
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"I’ve known my behaviour over the past decade (and my thinking for the past 30-odd years) has not been ‘normal’. I’ve often questioned whether I have some personality disorder, deep-rooted psychological trauma, or just a brain that isn’t quite wired up right. I’ve been impulsive and borderline addicted (to sex, porn, shopping, food, drink, drugs), and have made some very questionable decisions. But these weren’t decisions, they were compulsions, because of the neurological functioning inside my head.
"But it’s not all bad," he continued. "Because I truly believe it’s my ADHD that has allowed me to become so obsessed and focussed on things I like, that I work hard at them until I’m burnt out. While burn-out isn’t great, the skills I’ve garnered and career paths I’ve taken along the way, have been a huge part of my strength and success. And I’m grateful for those chances and opportunities.
"But I’m even more grateful for the knowledge that I have ADHD. Because instantly the shame and guilt can be replaced with conversation - destruction becomes construction. I wasn’t going to share this. I was going to keep it for myself. But I know from speaking openly about depression, alcohol use, bulimia, that people can seek comfort from the experiences of others. I know I certainly have.
"So, I may be looking for a dopamine rush here. I may be doing my duty as someone in the public eye to share my lived experience. Either way, make of this what you will. I just wish I’d known this sooner, so I could have written about it in my memoir (which has already gone to print), but now when you read it, I think you’ll understand it even better."
After sharing this news, fans of John rushed to his comments to support him and welcome him to "the club".
One wrote: "Hiiii welcome to team spicy brain late diagnosis club! I got diagnosed at 29 and it was life changing and truly such a huge relief to know there’s a reason my brain does what it does xx"
Another added: "Welcome to the club. Am glad your diagnosis has given you more understanding. But more made up that you’ve spoke about this publicly, because late diagnosis effects so many people," while a third said: "Respect for being open John. It is not easy talking about these things and takes courage."
Others also said: "So proud of you, always have been always will be!" and "With honesty comes empowerment. And through discussion, acceptance and understanding. So proud of you using your platform to break the stigma surrounding behavioural health challenges."
After receiving these messages, John added: "Thank you ALL so much for you comments. And I’m so glad that many of you can relate to what I’ve written. Much love to you all"
The Strictly Come Dancing star who made history as one half of the first all-male couple and whose memoir, Dancing on Eggshells, is expected to be released later this summer, has been an advocate for mental health and has shared details of his struggles with depression, alcohol and addiction in the past. Speaking previously about first appearing on the Great British Bake Off, John told The Telegraph in 2019: "Some days I'd wish I had never been on the show, because in reality, it totally derailed me from a steady life path. I drank more than I should have and posted unwisely on Instagram and Twitter. If I knew then what I knew now, would I do it all again? Absolutely. But I'd approach it so differently." Read more on that here.
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