Yahoo News Chizzy Akudolu had therapy after Strictly exit
Former Holby City star Chizzy Akudolu has opened up about living with depression, revealing that she had "quite a bit of therapy" following her stint on Strictly Come Dancing.
While appearing on today's (March 20) Loose Women, Chizzy spoke candidly about her "crushing" Strictly exit last year and how it coincided with "a massive low" for her depression, which she was diagnosed with over three years ago.
"I do suffer from depression. I'm not ashamed to say that at all. It's not something I asked for. It's something I'm dealing with, I'm still on anti-depressants. I have therapy," she explained.
"I had quite a bit of therapy after Strictly."
Chizzy went on to tell the panel that she turned down the reality series' offer of a therapist, insisting that she was okay: "I said, 'No I'll be fine, it's just a show, just a show'.
Related: Strictly Come Dancing's Chizzy Akudolu regrets that she can't dance naked this week
"[But] I did hit a massive low with my depression after Strictly."
Much like audiences at home, Chizzy was hugely disappointed to be voted off the competition in the first week, admitting that it was 'embarrassing'.
"[I] wanted to do the show for so long, and to get to do it, and I was getting fitter, and then for it suddenly just to be taken away, it was crushing. It was my birthday the following Saturday.
"Who gets to dance on Strictly on their birthday? Well, not me!"
This isn't the first time the actress has spoken openly about her struggle with depression – earlier this year she shared her experiences of the "black dog" on Twitter.
"I don't usually post when I'm going thru it, but want my fellow sufferers to know you're not alone," Chizzy told her fans.
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV.
Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk).
Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.
