Gladiators’ Rob Beckett Opens Up About Hidden Health Issue That Almost Ended in Tragedy

Gladiators star Rob Beckett was not only living his “wildest dreams” but “surpassing” them. However, he suffered from a hidden health problem which affected him considerably.

The comedian and TV presenter was one of four famous faces to appear on BBC celebrity special Gladiators.

Although his life was defined by a successful career and a happy family that seemed perfect on the surface, he fought his battles. So, here’s what happened to Rob when he opened up about his struggles to inspire others.

Gladiators star Rob Beckett’s health concerns

Rob managed to become famous and he was lucky to have the support of his wife, Louise Watts. The couple married in 2015 and have two daughters, whom the comedian chooses not to name.

By 2020, he had established himself as a successful comedian and television presenter with opportunities coming his way. In his autobiography A Class Act, Rob talks about an exciting TV show in Africa, during which he realized he wasn’t doing well mentally.

“On January 4, 2020, I was making it,” he recalls. The show was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. All he had to do was watch cricket, drink beer and go on safari with his best friend while getting paid. But he couldn’t do it.

The actor said: “Happily married to the love of my life, with two children in a recently renovated family home, I had exceeded my wildest dreams. »

“But I was the most unhappy I had ever been. I woke up on January 5 in a five-star hotel room thinking that it would be better and easier for everyone if I was dead,” he confessed.

He told his wife and manager how he felt and returned to the UK. He ended up seeing a therapist for six months. Rob continues to attend refresher sessions when he feels “the darkness creeping in.”

Rob talks about mental health

He learned from his experience that you need to talk about mental health issues to improve yourself.

Rob wrote in his book: “I tell you this because I always promote the message that people should talk about mental health, but I rarely do. »

He added: “So here I am speaking. I wanted to die even though I had everything I ever wanted. So never judge yourself if you feel down. Talk to someone and they will help you feel better.

I woke up on January 5 in a five-star hotel room thinking it would be better and easier for everyone if I was dead.

The Mock The Week star was glad he sought professional help as it helped him focus on his career. Around the same time he was speaking out about his mental health, the comedian starred in the Disney film Cinderella.

The pandemic helped him “recover and reflect.” Speaking about his acting role, the comedian said: “It would have killed me before I sorted it out. But it was one of the first jobs I took after the pandemic, when I wasn’t driven by fear – and I loved it.

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Experiencing imposter syndrome

Apparently, Rob also suffered from imposter syndrome during his acting career. It’s when you doubt yourself and start questioning your abilities and achievements.

Coming from a working class background unlike a television comedy circuit known for being “very bourgeois”, he struggled to fit in.

He explains in his book that he was once invited to Jimmy Carr’s house in London for a party. The guest list included top celebrities including Sir Elton John and Jonathan Ross.

Not wanting to arrive empty-handed at the Mexican-themed party, Rob carried eight cans of Heineken and a bottle of tequila in a carrier bag.

Recalling the experience, Rob wrote: “I walked in with this big blue bag and thought, ‘(bleep), I know this is the wrong thing to bring, but I can’t l ‘give up now, they saw it. ‘.”

He added: “So I owned the moment and it was an open goal for Jimmy and Elton, me playing with a bag from the office.”

Read more: Peter Andre shares heartbreaking health update: ‘Things don’t always go well’

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