Strictly star Les Dennis has therapy every month after Amanda Holden split
STRICTLY’S Les Dennis has therapy every month after overhauling his mental health.
The TV entertainer, who has joined this year's BBC dance contest, suffered a very public breakdown while appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2002.
It was during the time when his marriage to second wife Amanda Holden was on the rocks and viewers were shocked to watch his depression unfold, as he spoke to chickens in the garden.
He has hinted after the breakdown he suffered a “depressive episode” and sought help.
Les, 69, said: “I have had depressive episodes and I have had my ups and downs like anybody.
“And when I have felt low I have realised that as well as our physical health, that we have to look after our mental health and I believe very much in therapy.
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“I see someone once a month to have a mental check up to see that I am feeling ok.
“I always make sure that I get to talk to someone and talking to somebody that doesn’t have an investment in your life and someone separate. I am a big advocate of going to see someone on a 1:1 basis.”
He added: “I don’t want to go deeply into the reasons for my depressive episodes as I have been there before for interviews. But there are things in your life that you don’t see that curve ball coming and so it’s good to let go and talk to somebody about it.”
Les’ first marriage was to a lady called Lynne Webster from 1974 to 1990.
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He then wed actress Amanda Holden in June 1995.
But the couple split temporarily in 2000 when Amanda’s affair with Neil Morrissey was exposed, before eventually divorcing in 2003.
It meant Les was handling a tough time when he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2002.
Les later admitted the reality TV appearance was “not his wisest move”.
In his 2008 book Must The Show Go On? he confessed it was while inside the famous spy house he realised his “charade of a marriage was over”.
Now Les is happily married to third wife Claire Nicholson and together they have two teenage children.
He is also dad to a grown-up son from his first marriage.
Les said: “Being an older dad I want to be there for my kids… I want to be here when I am 100.
“They are the most important thing to me. I have to fulfil the responsibility to my kids.”
Now Les will take on the likes of Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Annabel Croft and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier to compete for the Glitterball trophy.
Les said: “I am still lucky to be around when I think I have lost friends like Keith Chegwin [who died age 60 of lung disease].
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“He was a dear and wonderful guy and he seemed really fit and healthy and things like that and they are a reminder of how fragile life is.
“And I am still here and I am happy to still be around.”
