Charlie King has bravely opened up about his body dysmorphia battle six months on from speaking out about his issues for the first time.
The former TOWIE star, 36, spoke out about his battle with body dysmorphia for the first time back in October when he appeared on daytime Chanel 4 chat show, Steph’s Packed Lunch.
The former reality TV star, who now works as a fitness coach, revealed that his problems with the way he looked were triggered from a young age when he was bullied at school.
Over six months on from his brave confession, Charlie has revealed that opening up about his mental health issues helped him out of 'the depths of despair'.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror following his amazing triumph at the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday, Charlie said that there is 'no magic wand' when overcoming his battle, but speaking out about it was an immense weight off his shoulders - and by doing so, he helped hundreds of others who are going through the same thing.
"Speaking about it was actually a great weight off my shoulders because it had been something that I had been struggling with internally for quite a while. Obviously, the lockdown situation really played havoc with my own mental wellbeing.
"Being stuck at home and being obsessive about exercise and thinking I had to deliver a certain amount of content because everyone wanted workouts from home - I just felt it was a real pressure to try and have to deliver and I became very critical of myself, even more than I had been in the past."
Amid his battle, Charlie took to the drastic step to undergo cosmetic surgery.
However, he was left feeling even worse after it went wrong and left him feeling as though he was in the 'depths of despair'.
Charlie explained: "Bit by bit it really chomped away at me and I underwent plastic surgery for another issue and that didn't got to plan and before I knew it, I was just in the depths of despair with what I had done to myself and the fact that the surgery didn't got to plan and the fact that I had these hangups about my aesthetics, not being as muscular as I once was, and not feeling attractive.
"It just all got so heavy. I tried to quietly get on with it, I didn't speak publicly about it or about the surgeries, but obviously when I did, it was such a great segment for me to be able to just sit and talk. I am now just trying to make some positives out of the situation, but there is no magic wand in a sense of feeling 100% just because I've spoken about it.
"But it was definitely a great way for me to get some perspective on it and to use my platform to raise awareness on mental health issues - especially from a male point of view. The response was overwhelming and so many people connected with what I was saying and I want to now continue to spread that message and incorporate it into what I do now."
As Charlie continues to campaign for mental health awareness, the former TOWIE star took part in London Landmarks Half Marathon.
London Landmarks Half Marathon is unlike any other race in the UK, taking place on closed roads through the City of London and Westminster, taking in all of London’s iconic landmarks and celebrating London’s grand, quirky and hidden heritage.
The 100% not for profit event, organised by baby charity Tommy’s to raise funds for the charity and many other good causes, has raised nearly £6 million this year for over 300 charities, with every penny going back to supporting the amazing work of Tommy’s and its charity partners.
Charlie, who is the proud ambassador Beder - a charity which takes a unique approach to raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention - said that running for an incredible cause spurred him on throughout the half marathon.
To pre-register to run next year's event, visit llhm.co.uk.
