Coronation Street’s Ian Puleston-Davies reveals his ‘exhausting’ battle with OCD and cleanliness and admits he carries Wet Wipes everywhere
The former soap actor, who played cobbles hardman Owen Armstrong, has an obsession with personal hygiene
EX-CORONATION Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies laid bare his "exhausting" battle with OCD on today's Good Morning Britain, admitting he carries Wet Wipes everywhere as part of his excessive cleanliness routine.
The screen star, who played cobbles hardman Owen Armstrong for five years, was feeling jittery ahead of the live show and started by checking the sofa for dust and stains.
He told presenters Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan in a preview video: "I have played many characters but the one I struggle with is myself.
"Things would get clogged in my head, I would be obsessed with stains on the floor and a fear of sitting down.
"You're ashamed of it.
"It's very odd, it doesn't make any sense. It's irrational behaviour."
Manchester actor Ian said it was only when he saw a therapist in his thirties that his condition was diagnosed.
He likened his mental health condition to "chewing gum thoughts" about hygiene which just wouldn't shift.
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Continuing to open up on his condition he added: "I have this large antenna in my head which is receiving information which other people would just discard.
"I have to be forensic and investigative about each and every thought, be it a stain, a sharp edge, is the light off, is the gas off.
"It's all encompassing - and it can be exhausting."
Ian told the hosts his stress levels before his GMB interview had soared as he hadn't had chance to scout out the studio and check his surroundings.
He went on to tell them he continually carried a pack of Wet Wipes and would be using them after shaking their hands after their chat.
Host Susanna told him: "We really appreciate you coming in - I know it's a struggle for you."
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