Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite has opened up about his dark addiction battle that left him “wanting to end his life”. On Monday, the 36-year-old Great British Bake Off winner took to Instagram to share one of his biggest personal battles that he has waged over the past five years. Struggling to hold back tears in an emotional admission, he shared the effects that steroid abuse has had on his health.
John confessed: “I first started taking them during lockdown because I looked in the mirror and I hated what I saw. I tried working out, I tried dieting – I was really strict with my diet – but nothing changed, I couldn’t gain muscle.
“Looking back, there was nothing wrong with me; I had a normal body. The more that people acknowledged how I looked on steroids, the more I felt good about myself.
“But the reality is, steroids have shrunk my b******s. I’ve got tiny balls now, I’ve got an irregular sex drive… Sometimes it’s very high and I end up doing stupid things and don’t respect my body.”
He added that steroids could have been one of the main reasons why he joined the adult website OnlyFans after feeling more positive about his figure following years of dysmorphia and bulimia.
The TV presenter captioned the post: “Steroid addiction – the truth. For the past 5 years, I’ve let myself down, I haven’t respected my body or my mind, I’ve put my body image before my own wellbeing, and before time with my family.
“Steroids have made me want to end my life. That stops today. Right now. That stops now. I choose life. I choose health. I choose love. I choose a simpler life.”
It didn’t take long before his famous friends and fans of the star rushed to the comments to share their well-wishes online. Julia Bradbury wrote: “Good luck, John. Putting it out there will hopefully [help] you. Love and health [green heart emoji].” Meanwhile, Olly Alexander shared a series of love hearts, similar to Radio 1 presenter Richie Anderson.
One user penned: “Well done for speaking out, and for admitting your addiction, and for taking that first step towards recovery.” Another agreed: “You’re a beautiful man inside and out, darling. Be strong, you’ve got this.”
