DANCING On Ice star Colin Jackson has revealed his secret battle with crippling anxiety and panic attacks.
The former Olympic legend has opened up about how his mental health suffered after retiring from athletics.
Speaking to mental health podcast Run Free the 53-year-old said: “It wasn’t easy when I first retired. I had a lot of panic attacks because I was very anxious.
“I knew I could hurdle but I didn’t know if I could do anything else.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do next and I was really anxious and nervous.
“I went to the GP a lot, trying to deal with my anxiety.”
Colin told the Run Free podcast he also battled eating disorders during his race career – which saw him win an Olympic Silver Medal.
He added: “I was very anti-drugs when I was an athlete and there was no way I would take drugs to improve but I realised when I was losing weight I was running faster.”
Meanwhile The Sun can reveal Colin, who came runner-up in Strictly in 2005, is already emerging as one of the favourites for the show which includes Rebekah Vardy, Denise Van Outen and Myleene Klass.
A source said: “Colin’s a natural. He is a great dancer and pretty fearless on the ice and he has really caught the eye behind the scenes as one to watch.
“He might have retired many years ago but Colin hasn’t lost his competitive edge and will be aiming to win the show.”
To hear Colin’s interview, listen here.
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