Iain Lee reveals he was sexually abused as a child by Scout master which led to struggle with depression
AFTER being open about his struggles with depression, for the first time Iain Lee has revealed what he thinks first triggered it.
The comedian turned talk RADIO host says he was sexually abused as a child by a Scout master and believes it led to him taking anti-depressants and even considering suicide.
Iain makes the shocking revelation on Channel 5’s Me and My Mental Health documentary.
He said: “A lot of my depression comes around self-loathing, shame and guilt. How do I say this? There was a bit of sexual abuse that went on as a kid. A scout master and stuff, which kind of weighed heavily on me.
“It is the most horrendous messed-up scenario, it was humiliating and it was shameful, and I remember getting home to my mum and dad and never telling them. I never told them.
“I think it certainly played a part in my depression, what happened to me at the age of eight. I can see that as the starting point for it. Because up until then the memories I do have are generally quite happy.
“Now I feel embarrassed and ashamed talking about it, it was 35 years ago.”
Speaking on the hard-hitting show, which also includes Trisha Goddard, Adam Deacon and MP Kevan Jones on Thursday at 10pm, Iain also says he felt suicidal a few years ago.
He said: “I was out walking the dog and we were in these woods and I just thought, ‘F***, this is really off the beaten track, I could get a bit of rope.
"I could hang myself here and no-one would find me for ages.’ And I really allowed myself to go off into this fantasy.”
Thankfully, the dad-of-two and last year’s I’m A Celebrity finalist found the help he needed and still takes anti-depressants to help him cope.
However he also tells honestly how they have affected his sex life. Sounds like a small price to pay . . .
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
Si's scare tactics
WITH Nicole Scherzinger out and the futures of Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne as clear as the show’s format changes, The X Factor could do with freshening up.
With a bit of luck, it will come in the form of Mel B.
The Sprice Girl, who was last on the panel in 2014, says she is up for a return to the ITV show.
The singer, who has spent the past 15 years living in Los Angeles, was asked if she would ever consider rejoining Simon Cowell as a judge on the talent contest.
She said: “I love doing X Factor and I love the UK, so if that opportunity came up and I had time to do it, then yeah.
“I mean I come back to London so often for work.”
Mel lived up to her Scary Spice nickname during her last stint four years ago, often clashing with Simon.
Let’s hope she does take the plunge and rejoins – she could be just the boost the show needs.
King of the Fill
Mollie King matches her trousers to her barnet as she wanders into the Radio 1 studios for her radio show.
The Saturdays singer wore the bright stripes to fill in for Scott Mill’ afternoon programme with Matt Edmonson.
Mollie is dating England bowler Stuart Broad, who proved he’s not just good with a cricket ball but also a football, too.
He beat six million other “managers” in the official Fantasy Premier League last week to score 180 points after giving Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the captain’s band to rack up 46 points alone.
I foolishly went for Raheem Sterling, whose form has fizzled out just in time for the World Cup.
Biz bit
David Attenborough says he’s now too old to celebrate birthdays.
The star – 92 last week – said: “I celebrated in no way at all, just at home doing what I was supposed to do. My family and friends made a fuss when I was 90 and that was enough.”
George in nurse carry on
CLEARLY not much shocks Angie Best – but then she was the first wife of hellraiser and footie legend George.
The former model, who took part in Celebrity Big Brother last year, says she once walked in on the Manchester United striker getting more of a rub down than he was supposed to for an injury.
In an exclusive interview, Angie revealed: “I went to see George in the hospital because he had an accident outside Harrods . . .
“I walked into his room and some girl, a nurse probably, was pleasuring George.
"I was horrified and rushed straight out. I took off and got on the plane to America.”
Yet despite catching George playing away, when he proposed to her two months later, Angie said yes.
She added: “Calum is a bit like his dad in as much as you cannot tell him anything. You can’t tell Calum what to do.”
She just needs to keep him well away from nurses.
Must watch
WHAT? Pangolins – The World’s Most Wanted Animal, BBC2, 8pm.
WHY? This documentary looks at the desperate bid in Namibia to save this little-known creature which is also the most illegally trafficked.
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Soapbox
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