Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite has been met with a wave of support from fans after revealing that he has been diagnosed with ADHD.
The 34-year-old chef, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2012 before reaching the Strictly final alongside pro dancer Johannes Radebe in 2021 as the show's first male same-sex pairing, said that his diagnosis "explains a lot" as he shared the news with fans on Instagram at the weekend. The star said that he initially planned on keeping his diagnosis private, but later decided to make it public in a bid to help others who are also living with the condition.
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects people's behaviour with common symptoms including restlessness, trouble concentrating, and acting on impulse. It's not known what causes the disorder and there is no 'cure', though symptoms can be managed using therapy or medicine, according to the NHS website.
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Sharing news of his diagnosis on Instagram, John wrote: "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."
He went on: "But it's not all bad. 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." He added: "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."
John received praise from fans for sharing his diagnosis, including from others who had been diagnosed with ADHD who thanked him for speaking up. One person wrote in the comments section: "Welcome to the club. I'm glad your diagnosis has given you more understanding. But more made up that you've spoken about this publicly, because late diagnosis affects so many people."
Someone else said: "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."
And a third fan added: "Respect for being open John. It is not easy talking about these things and takes courage."
