Josh Widdicombe 'collapsed' after having breakdown as he opens up about problem
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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.".
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.
