McFly legend Tom Fletcher previously revealed he had been diagnosed with a serious mental health condition. The star is making his debut as a coach on The Voice UK tonight, along with his bandmate Danny Jones. The pair will be the ITV show's first duo in the red seats.
Tom, 39, rose to fame in 2004 with the band and quickly became a household name. He had originally auditioned for band Busted, but lost out on the place to Charlie Simpson after the record label Island Records decided the band should be a trio rather than a four-piece.
He went on to join Busted's songwriting team before finding his own success with McFly. But Tom has been open about his mental health struggles that have affected him since childhood.
Emotional Rollercoaster
Talking emotionally to Fearne Cotton, Tom recalled: “Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been highly emotional. I’d feel excited one moment, then the polar opposite the next. But I think everyone just thought that’s who I was.”
He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder - a mental health condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. For Tom, mood swings were not his only issue.
The Impact of Stardom
When enjoying his first glimpses of stardom, he explained that his weight “became an issue,” so much so that he stopped eating and “basically just drank coffee”. Speaking more about his mental health struggles, he said: “It was so unhealthy.
“I would struggle with down periods —I’m sure I was a nightmare to be with, but I kept much of it from Giovanna [his wife]. Like many men, quite often I would hide it from the people I was closest to.
Finding Understanding in Stephen Fry's Story
“In late 2011, I watched a documentary by Stephen Fry called The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive. He shared his story of bipolar disorder and depression, and it sounded exactly like me. I just cried.”
Tom went to therapy and later received his diagnosis. He added: “I’d never thought about it being a definable mental health condition before, and I decided to speak to a therapist.
“For a long time, I still didn’t tell anyone about it. I was later diagnosed with bipolar. When I told my friend, Harry, he said: ‘Ahhh, that makes so much sense.’
Breaking the Stigma
“Since then, more and more people have spoken out about their mental health. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Tom's journey highlights the importance of open conversations about mental health, dispelling misconceptions and encouraging individuals to seek support. By sharing his experience, he inspires others to prioritize their well-being and break the stigma surrounding mental illness. He also emphasizes the significance of finding support systems and professional help in navigating the complexities of mental health conditions.
