Darren Day reveals for first time that he suffers ‘unbearable’ mental health issues

Darren Day has spoken out for the first time about his mental health.

The singer and actor, 51, has opened up about his struggles with addiction in the past – claiming he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after ‘dark days’ of being hooked on cocaine and booze.

But now he has taken to Twitter to record a heartfelt video to address the mental strain his lifestyle has had on him over the years.

Admission: Darren Day has spoken out for the first time about his mental health

Wearing a T-shirt branded with IOKN2BOK on it, he told his followers: ‘Since my stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house four years ago its well documented that I am in recovery/sobriety with issues around addiction.

That I’ve spoken publicly about. Something I have never spoken about is my mental health issues.

‘That changes as of today because I have become involved with a wonderful new charity: Its OK Not To Be OK.’

Darren referenced the acronym on hos T-shirt and explained that the charity has been set up by a good friend of his.

Opening up: The singer and actor, 51, has opened up about his struggles with addiction in the past - claiming he is 'lucky to be alive' after 'dark days' of being hooked on cocaine and booze [pictured in 2016]

Opening up: The singer and actor, 51, has opened up about his struggles with addiction in the past – claiming he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after ‘dark days’ of being hooked on cocaine and booze [pictured in 2016]

Honest: He has taken to Twitter to record a heartfelt video to address the mental strain his lifestyle has had on him over the years

Wearing a T-shirt branded with IOKN2BOK on it, he told his followers: 'Since my stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house four years ago its well documented that I am in recovery/sobriety with issues around addiction'

Honest: He has taken to Twitter to record a heartfelt video to address the mental strain his lifestyle has had on him over the years. Wearing a T-shirt branded with IOKN2BOK on it, he told his followers: ‘Since my stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house four years ago its well documented that I am in recovery/sobriety with issues around addiction’

‘I’ve got behind this and am choosing to speak about this now because it really is OK not to be OK,’ Darren continued. ‘I went through many many years struggling, being misdiagnosed; and some days during some periods of my life were unbearable!

‘But because I spoke out and talked to people about it I’m now on the right medication and I now have the right support network around me.

‘So, especially during these challenging times we’re all going through, if you suffer, speak out, tell somebody.

‘I send you all my love, Gob bless you all.’

Darren appeared on the infamous 2016 series of Celebrity Big Brother, which featured other troubled stars who have experienced issues with mental health and addiction, such as Danniella Westbrook [pictured on the show with Darren and John Partridge]

Darren appeared on the infamous 2016 series of Celebrity Big Brother, which featured other troubled stars who have experienced issues with mental health and addiction, such as Danniella Westbrook [pictured on the show with Darren and John Partridge]

Darren appeared on the infamous 2016 series of Celebrity Big Brother, which featured other troubled stars who have experienced issues with mental health and addiction, such as Danniella Westbrook, David Gest and Stephanie Davis.

During the show – on which he finished in third place – he spoke about his addiction battles, opening up further about his troubled past in an interview with Hello! magazine the following summer.

The West End theatre actor revealed that his wife of 12 year Stephanie Doole – whom he subsequently divorced from in October 2018, just a year after they renewed their wedding vows – inspired him to be a ‘better man’. 

The stage star said at the time: ‘I am a lucky man, right now, and to be honest I am lucky to be here, and I don’t mean in this room, I mean I am lucky to be alive.

‘My life hit a very dark place and the fact that life is so wonderful now, I am thankful every single day.’

He had previously told ITV’s Lorraine in November 2016 that he admitted that his stint on Celebrity Big Brother was an attempt to show the public how far he’d come.

‘The reason for going in the house, I just wanted the opportunity to show the public where I am now,’ he explained. ‘It’s taken time to build up bridges again, the last decade – I’ve worked hard and it finally feels like all the hard work has paid off.’ 

In his partying heyday, Darren had quite the storied love life, with Isla Fisher and Anna Friel among the long list of beauties who once dated him. 

As well as this, he famously embarked on a romance with former Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw while he was engaged to his Summer Holiday stage co-star Adele Vellacot.

Former flame: In his partying heyday, Darren had quite the storied love life, with Isla Fisher and Anna Friel among the long list of beauties who once dated him (Pictured with Isla Fisher, 1998)

Former flame: In his partying heyday, Darren had quite the storied love life, with Isla Fisher and Anna Friel among the long list of beauties who once dated him (Pictured with Isla Fisher, 1998)

Darker times: Darren was known as something of a love rat in the past, and has been candid about his troubles abusing drink and drugs. He leads a sober life now  (Pictured in 1997)

Darker times: Darren was known as something of a love rat in the past, and has been candid about his troubles abusing drink and drugs. He leads a sober life now  (Pictured in 1997)

Things didn’t last long between them, as he walked out on Suzanne and their their three-month-old son Corey in 2005, reportedly telling her: ‘I don’t do family.’

Two years later, he married and settled down with Stephanie, although they endured a brief split in 2010 after Darren was caught philandering with his ex Suzanne. 

Darren and Stephanie have two children together, Madison and Dalton.