This weekend, Paddy McGuinness is back on the small screen for more Christmassy fun, as he and Cherry Healey appear in a festive episode of Inside The Christmas Factory.

In the programme, viewers will get the chance to see the pair explore the world of festive confections.

Paddy, who recently quit as host of Tempting Fortune, is known for his upbeat personality, wicked humour and bags of charm. However, things haven’t been easy for the TV personality. In fact, he previously opened up about his battle with depression…

Paddy has been open about his depression battle (Credit: Splash News)

Paddy McGuinness on depression

In a September interview on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Paddy admitted that he didn’t even realise he had depression.

“Sometimes I’d be in the dressing room with something on the phone at home and stressing about it,” he recounted. “Then you’d go out there and you’d do the show and you’d come off, and I’d be knackered because I’d mentally burnt out.”

He added that his mind “magnified” his problems and that it could make “everything worse”.

“Every problem is magnified a million times, and I was always going to the worst case scenario of everything,” he said.

For Paddy, it was the “little things” that “helped depression come to a front”.

He said: “They’re all little chinks in the armour that were slowly being eroded that I didn’t realise.

“But again, on the positive, the job is brilliant for then talking about things because you’re going to reach more people and you’re going to make more people aware, so I take the positives out of things like that.”

Paddy says he was quick to anger (Credit: Splash News)

Paddy started ‘resenting’ making people laugh

For Paddy, things came to a head when he realised he started “resenting” his fans.

“I started resenting being in front of a crowd of people and making them laugh because I used to think, it’s alright for you lot, but I’m going home feeling like this,” he admitted in a 2023 appearance on the Monday Mile podcast.

Another thing he noted was how he became quick to anger. “I’ve never been that much of a person losing my temper but I could feel myself in certain situations getting wound up quicker and I just thought, that’s not me,” he explained.

“I wasn’t going round throwing cups at the [bleep]ing wall and shouting, but I could feel myself feeling angry straight away, and I shouldn’t be feeling that.”

For Paddy, it took him some time to get better. He tried therapy numerous times without success. But after consulting with a third professional, he finally found a treatment that worked for him.

Paddy McGuinness has spent much of his public life making people laugh. From his early days in comedy to becoming a familiar face on British television, his persona has often been associated with humour, confidence, and an easy-going charm. Yet behind that public image lies a far more complex inner world, one shaped by years of quiet struggle, reflection, and personal growth. In recent conversations, McGuinness has spoken candidly about a secret mental health battle he carried for a long time, offering rare insight into how even those who appear most upbeat can wrestle with invisible challenges.

For much of his career, Paddy McGuinness felt pressure to live up to expectations, both his own and those imposed by the industry. Comedy, especially in the public eye, often comes with an unspoken rule that the performer must always be “on,” ready to entertain regardless of what is happening internally. McGuinness has admitted that for years he believed acknowledging mental health struggles would somehow undermine his identity as a comedian and presenter. He feared being perceived as weak or incapable, a fear that kept him silent even when he was struggling most.

That silence became a heavy burden. McGuinness has described how he learned to compartmentalise his emotions, pushing anxiety and self-doubt aside so he could function professionally. On the surface, he was thriving, booking shows, fronting popular programmes, and enjoying the success he had worked hard to achieve. Privately, however, his mind was often restless. He has spoken about persistent worry, intrusive thoughts, and an ongoing sense of unease that he struggled to explain, even to himself.

One of the most challenging aspects of his mental health journey was the disconnect between how he felt and how his life appeared. From the outside, he had what many would consider success: a stable career, recognition, and a family. This made it harder for him to justify his feelings, leading to guilt and confusion. McGuinness has said there were times when he questioned why he felt low or anxious when he had so much to be grateful for, not realising that mental health does not operate on logic or external circumstances.

Over time, the strain of suppressing these feelings began to take a toll. McGuinness has reflected on how his body often signalled what his mind was trying to hide. He experienced exhaustion, irritability, and moments where even small tasks felt overwhelming. Instead of recognising these as warning signs, he initially dismissed them as part of a busy lifestyle. Like many people, he believed he could simply push through.

A turning point came when McGuinness began to acknowledge the power of his own mind. “I think your mind is a powerful tool,” he has said, a statement that captures a central theme of his journey. He realised that the same mind capable of generating fear and anxiety was also capable of healing, resilience, and change. This shift in perspective did not happen overnight. It required him to confront uncomfortable truths about himself and challenge long-held beliefs about strength and vulnerability.

Fatherhood played a significant role in this transformation. Raising children forced McGuinness to look more closely at his emotional well-being, not just for his own sake, but for theirs. He has spoken openly about wanting to be emotionally present and healthy for his family, recognising that unresolved mental health struggles could affect those closest to him. This sense of responsibility became a powerful motivator for change.

McGuinness has also discussed how his divorce brought many of his emotions to the surface. The end of a long-term relationship is rarely simple, and for him it became a period of deep introspection. While he has remained respectful and private about the details, he has acknowledged that the experience forced him to sit with difficult feelings he had previously avoided. Loneliness, uncertainty, and fear of the future all surfaced, making it impossible to continue ignoring his mental health.

During this time, McGuinness began exploring different ways to manage his thoughts and emotions. He has spoken about the importance of routine, exercise, and mindfulness, emphasising that mental health is not about finding a single solution but about building habits that support stability over time. Physical activity, in particular, became a crucial outlet for him, helping to release tension and bring clarity during periods of overwhelm.

Another key element of his journey was learning to talk. For years, McGuinness kept his struggles private, believing that silence was a form of control. Eventually, he realised that opening up, whether to friends, professionals, or loved ones, did not make his problems bigger, but smaller. Sharing his thoughts allowed him to see them more clearly and reduced the sense of isolation that had compounded his anxiety.

McGuinness has been especially vocal about challenging outdated ideas of masculinity. He has acknowledged that growing up, he absorbed messages that men should be tough, self-reliant, and emotionally restrained. These beliefs made it harder for him to seek help, reinforcing the idea that struggling mentally was something to be ashamed of. By speaking publicly now, he hopes to encourage other men to question those narratives and recognise that vulnerability is not weakness.

His statement about the mind being a powerful tool reflects a deeper understanding of self-awareness. McGuinness has explained that once he began paying attention to his thought patterns, he noticed how easily the mind could spiral into negativity. Rather than trying to suppress those thoughts, he learned to observe them, question them, and let them pass. This approach helped him regain a sense of control that he previously felt was missing.

McGuinness has also acknowledged setbacks. Progress, he says, is rarely linear. There were periods when he felt strong and balanced, followed by moments when anxiety resurfaced unexpectedly. Instead of viewing these setbacks as failures, he learned to see them as part of the process. This shift in mindset reduced the pressure he placed on himself to be “fixed” and allowed him to approach his mental health with patience and compassion.

Publicly discussing mental health has not always been easy for McGuinness. As a public figure, he is aware that his words are scrutinised and interpreted by a wide audience. Despite this, he has chosen honesty, believing that authenticity is more valuable than maintaining a polished image. He has said that if sharing his story helps even one person feel less alone, it is worth the discomfort.

His reflections also touch on the idea of identity. For much of his life, McGuinness defined himself through his work and how others perceived him. Mental health struggles forced him to reassess that identity, separating his sense of self from his career. This allowed him to develop a more stable foundation, one not entirely dependent on external validation or success.

The concept of control features prominently in McGuinness’s narrative. Anxiety often stems from a desire to control outcomes, thoughts, or perceptions. He has spoken about learning to let go of what he cannot control and focusing instead on what he can: his actions, his reactions, and his choices. This approach helped reduce the constant mental tension he had lived with for years.

McGuinness has also highlighted the importance of self-talk. The way he spoke to himself internally, he realised, was often harsher than how he would speak to anyone else. By consciously changing that internal dialogue, replacing criticism with understanding, he began to experience a noticeable shift in his emotional state. This practice reinforced his belief in the mind’s power to shape experience.

Another significant aspect of his journey has been learning to slow down. The entertainment industry often rewards constant activity and visibility, leaving little room for rest. McGuinness has admitted that stepping back, even temporarily, felt uncomfortable at first. Over time, he recognised that rest was not laziness but a necessary component of mental well-being.

As he became more open about his mental health, McGuinness noticed a change in how people responded to him. Messages from fans and colleagues sharing similar experiences reinforced the universality of mental health struggles. These interactions helped him understand that his story was not unique, and that many people suffer quietly, assuming they are alone in their thoughts.

McGuinness’s evolving perspective has also influenced how he approaches happiness. Rather than chasing constant positivity, he now values emotional balance. He has spoken about accepting that life includes difficult days and that happiness does not mean the absence of struggle. This acceptance has brought him a sense of peace that eluded him when he was constantly striving to feel “better.”

In discussing the mind as a powerful tool, McGuinness does not suggest that mental health challenges can simply be thought away. He is careful to acknowledge the complexity of mental illness and the importance of professional support when needed. His message is not about denial, but empowerment, recognising that while the mind can be a source of pain, it can also be a source of strength.

As he continues to navigate his career and personal life, McGuinness approaches the future with a different mindset. He is more attuned to his emotional state, more willing to ask for help, and more forgiving of himself. This shift has not removed all challenges, but it has changed how he meets them.

Ultimately, Paddy McGuinness’s story resonates because it challenges assumptions. It reminds audiences that mental health struggles do not discriminate by profession, personality, or success. His honesty reveals the cost of silence and the relief that can come from understanding one’s own mind.

By sharing his belief that the mind is a powerful tool, McGuinness invites others to reflect on their own inner lives. His journey is not presented as a finished narrative, but as an ongoing process of learning and growth. In embracing that process, he has transformed his private battle into a message of awareness, compassion, and hope, proving that strength can take many forms, including the courage to speak openly about what lies beneath the surface.

As Paddy McGuinness continues to reflect on his mental health journey, what becomes increasingly clear is that this was never a single battle with a clear beginning or end. It is, instead, an ongoing relationship with his own mind, one that requires attention, honesty, and humility. The most profound shift for him has not been the disappearance of anxiety or difficult thoughts, but the way he now understands and responds to them. Where there was once fear and resistance, there is now curiosity and care. This transformation did not arrive suddenly; it was built slowly, through moments of discomfort, self-questioning, and hard-earned acceptance.

For a long time, McGuinness believed that strength meant endurance. It meant pushing forward regardless of internal strain, ignoring emotional warning signs, and maintaining the outward appearance of confidence at all costs. This mindset served him in some ways, helping him navigate a demanding industry and carve out a successful career. But it also came at a price. Over time, the effort required to suppress his inner world became exhausting, creating a gap between who he appeared to be and how he actually felt. That gap, he has said, was one of the loneliest places he had ever been.

Learning to close that gap required him to confront deeply ingrained beliefs about himself. He had to question why he felt compelled to meet everyone else’s expectations before his own needs. He had to recognise that humour, while powerful, had become a shield as much as a gift. Making people laugh brought him joy, but it also allowed him to deflect attention from his own vulnerability. Acknowledging this was uncomfortable, yet freeing. It allowed him to see that his value did not lie solely in his ability to entertain, but in his humanity.

One of the most emotionally challenging aspects of his journey was learning to sit with his thoughts rather than fight them. McGuinness has spoken about how anxiety often fed on resistance. The more he tried to suppress certain thoughts, the louder they became. When he began to accept their presence without judgement, they gradually lost their power. This did not mean agreeing with every negative thought, but recognising that thoughts are not facts. This distinction became a cornerstone of his healing.

He has described moments of profound emotional clarity that arrived unexpectedly, often in quiet, ordinary settings. A walk alone, a moment after exercise, or a late-night reflection would sometimes bring an overwhelming sense of release. These moments were not dramatic or cinematic, but deeply personal. They reminded him that peace was not something to be chased relentlessly, but something that emerged when he stopped running from himself.

McGuinness has also reflected on how much compassion he lacked for his younger self. Looking back, he recognises how early patterns of self-criticism and emotional suppression were shaped by environment, culture, and unspoken expectations. Rather than blaming himself, he has learned to extend understanding to those earlier versions of himself who were simply trying to cope with the tools they had. This reframing has softened feelings of regret and replaced them with gratitude for the resilience that carried him through.

The emotional weight of change became particularly evident during periods of solitude. After years of shared routines and constant activity, quiet moments forced him to confront feelings he had long avoided. Loneliness, uncertainty, and grief surfaced without distraction. Rather than viewing these emotions as failures, he gradually learned to see them as signals, invitations to listen more closely to himself. This shift required courage, because silence can be confronting when one is accustomed to noise.

Fatherhood continued to shape his emotional awareness in unexpected ways. Watching his children navigate their own emotions reminded him of the importance of modelling healthy behaviour. He became more mindful of how he spoke about feelings, stress, and self-worth around them. This awareness reinforced his commitment to emotional honesty, not just as a personal practice, but as a legacy. He wanted his children to grow up knowing that it was safe to feel deeply and to ask for help.

McGuinness has spoken about the quiet pride he feels in having broken his own silence. Not because it made him feel brave, but because it allowed him to breathe more freely. Carrying a secret mental health struggle required constant vigilance, a careful management of image and emotion. Letting go of that secrecy lifted a weight he did not fully realise he was carrying. It allowed him to show up more authentically, both privately and publicly.

There were moments when he questioned whether speaking out was the right choice. Vulnerability brings exposure, and exposure brings risk. He worried about being misunderstood, judged, or reduced to a narrative he could not control. Yet each time someone shared that his words had resonated with them, those fears softened. The connection he felt with others reminded him that honesty creates bridges, not barriers.

McGuinness has also become more comfortable with the idea that mental health is dynamic. Some days feel light and balanced; others feel heavy and uncertain. Instead of striving for permanent happiness, he now aims for awareness and adaptability. This perspective has reduced the pressure he once placed on himself to feel a certain way. Emotions are no longer problems to solve, but experiences to navigate.

The phrase “your mind is a powerful tool” holds particular emotional significance for him because it acknowledges both sides of that power. The mind can generate fear, doubt, and self-criticism, but it can also cultivate resilience, creativity, and hope. McGuinness has learned that power itself is neutral; it is how one relates to it that determines its impact. By developing a more conscious relationship with his thoughts, he has reclaimed agency he once felt was missing.

This understanding has influenced how he approaches challenges beyond mental health. He is more patient with setbacks, less reactive to criticism, and more intentional with his energy. He has spoken about choosing his battles carefully, recognising that not every thought or opinion deserves his attention. This discernment has brought a sense of calm that feels hard-won and deeply valued.

McGuinness no longer views vulnerability as something that diminishes him. Instead, he sees it as a source of connection and strength. Allowing himself to be seen, imperfect and evolving, has enriched his relationships and deepened his sense of belonging. The fear that once kept him silent has been replaced by a quiet confidence rooted in self-acceptance.

As he looks ahead, there is no grand declaration of being healed or fixed. McGuinness is clear that mental health is not a destination but a practice. There will be moments of doubt, stress, and emotional fatigue, but he trusts himself to respond differently now. He trusts that he has the tools, support, and self-awareness to navigate whatever arises.

What makes his story resonate so strongly is its honesty. There is no dramatic turning point, no single solution, no promise of permanent clarity. Instead, there is a steady commitment to understanding oneself more deeply and treating that understanding with care. In sharing his journey, McGuinness has offered something rare: permission to struggle without shame.

The emotional heart of his message lies in hope that feels grounded rather than idealistic. He does not suggest that positive thinking alone can erase pain, but he believes deeply in the capacity for growth when people engage with their minds rather than fear them. This belief has reshaped how he lives, works, and relates to others.

In the end, Paddy McGuinness’s reflection on his secret mental health battle is not about overcoming weakness, but about redefining strength. It is about learning to listen instead of suppress, to question instead of criticise, and to care instead of endure. His journey reminds us that the mind’s power can feel overwhelming, but when approached with honesty and compassion, it can also become a source of profound healing.

By speaking openly, McGuinness has transformed his private struggle into a shared human story. It is a story that does not promise easy answers, but offers reassurance that understanding oneself is possible, and that no one has to face their inner world alone. Through patience, awareness, and courage, he continues to build a relationship with his mind that is not defined by fear, but guided by trust.