Stand-up comedian Josh Widdicombe has shared how he "collapsed" after suffering a breakdown as he admitted he was struggling with controlling how much alcohol he was drinking.
Opening up about his relationship with alcohol consumption and overworking, the podcast host spoke to The Times about how he has battled with his mental health in recent years.
Frequently giving life updates during conversations with fellow comedian Rob Beckett on their popular Parenting Hell podcast, he spoke about how he had suffered a breakdown in 2022 when he had anxiety and depression. Josh added that he was "burnt-out" through "overworking".
Speaking about his alcohol dependancy, Josh said: "People say to me stuff like, 'Do you miss having a glass of wine with lunch?' And I say, 'I don't know what that is! I can't drink like that!' There is something about me that is all or nothing.
"I didn't do it every day so it took me ages to realise I had a problem."
Image:
PA)Despite his career going from strength to strength, Josh added that he "spent years panicking" that his successful comedy gig he had built would come to an abrupt end. So, eager to ensure that he continued to find career success, he claimed that he would find it hard to take any time off and would even continue writing stand-up routines whilst on holiday with his wife.
Josh's overworking went into overdrive following the birth of his second child, Cassius, in 2021. It proved to be the moment that he "collapsed".
Josh said: "Because I never wanted to be an absent dad. And yet I didn't want to let my career slide either. So I piled even more pressure on myself. Eventually I just kind of collapsed.
"It was just overwork, burnout, leading to depression and anxiety. And I was funnier being more honest."
Image:
Getty Images for Bauer)Having now managed to curb his alcohol consumption the comedian is looking to make something positive out of the situation as he looks to include it in a future stand-up routine although he is unsure whether it will ever see the light of day.
Last month Josh became the first contestant to be confirmed to feature in this year's Christmas Strictly Come Dancing lineup where he will be joined by the likes of drag artist Kayce, podcaster Vogue Williams, Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, former EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite and racing driver Billy Monger.
Speaking about his upcoming appearance on the Christmas edition of the hit dance competition, he said: "I think you should do things you're worried will be shit. Do the stuff you want to do, not the stuff that you think a comedian should do."
Before co-hosting his popular Parenting Hell podcast with fellow comedian Rob Beckett, Josh rose to fame after performing stand-up comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008. Just four years later he would go on to appear on the much-loved Channel 4 show, Mock the Week before going on to also become a regular on The Last Leg.
Josh has two children with his wife Rose Hanson, a television producer, and worked as a sports journalist before embarking on his comedy career.
English (US) ·