Celebrity chef John Whaite has revealed that a five-year addiction to steroids led to suicidal thoughts.
Whaite, 36, rose to prominence after winning The Great British Bake Off in 2012 and later becoming a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.
In a candid video posted on Instagram, Whaite disclosed that he had been “taking anabolic steroids illegally for five years, and these things have really, really messed with my life.”
He explained that he is sharing his story to encourage “young lads” to “think very carefully about how they treat their bodies.”
Whaite is also a familiar face on daytime television, hosting cooking segments on shows like ITV’s Lorraine and Steph’s Packed Lunch.
He told his followers that he began using steroids during lockdown “because I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw.”
Whaite further explained that he suffers from bulimia, an eating disorder, and body dysmorphia, conditions characterized by a distorted perception of one’s own body.
“The more people acknowledged how I looked on steroids, the more I felt good about myself, I felt valid,” he stated.
He also revealed a physical side effect: “I’ve got tiny balls now, there’s your headline.”
Whaite added that the steroids also caused acne and an unregulated sex drive.
The chef and TV personality said he was motivated to speak out after overhearing a younger family member discussing a “dangerously strong steroid.”
“I am genuinely worried for the young lads growing up and seeing these unrealistic physiques on Instagram,” Whaite expressed in the emotional video.
“You’ve only got one body, so please just respect it, please just let it do what it can do, don’t try and push it, stretch, eat well, try and get to the place where you look in the mirror and you see yourself with kind eyes.”
He described taking steroids as a “stupid decision of my own,” adding that he was “tired of being tethered to this solution.”
In the caption accompanying the video, Whaite concluded: “Steroids have made me want to end my life.
“That stops now. I choose life. I choose health. I choose love. I choose a simpler life.”
The BBC has reached out to Whaite for comment.
Anabolic steroids, synthetic substances mimicking the male hormone testosterone, are classified as Class C drugs and are legal for personal use with a prescription.
Pharmacists are authorized to dispense them with a valid prescription.
However, supplying or selling anabolic steroids, including to friends, is illegal and carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
Seizures of anabolic steroids in the UK increased by 26% last year, reaching 995,830 doses, with the majority intercepted at the UK border.
Currently, there is a lack of official medical research or guidance on minimizing the risks associated with steroid use.
Steroids can disrupt various bodily functions, including sperm production. While side effects such as testicle shrinkage can potentially be reversed upon cessation of steroid use, the process may take years and often remains incomplete.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can find support via BBC Action Line.