Louie Spence hits out at Piers Morgan’s ‘man up’ attitude to mental health after opening up on anxiety and depression battle

DANCER Louie Spence admitted he was "incensed" at Piers Morgan's "man up" attitude to mental health illnesses after lifting the lid on his own struggles with depression and anxiety.

The performer hit out at the Good Morning Britain presenter after he claimed some celebrities including Madonna and Kim Kardashian  compete "to play the biggest victim" of mental disorders.

Yesterday, Piers infuriated viewers of the ITV breakfast programme when he suggested some sufferers should take their illness on the chin, prompting telly fans to blast his opinions as "evil" and "abhorrent."

Louie, 48, told today's Lorraine show: "He incensed me by saying man up.

"It's men like him who aren't giving people the opportunity to say 'look, I'm suffering from depression.'"

He added: "They will go back and say 'I have to man up' - those people are statistics of suicide.

"I appreciate everyone has an opinion.

"But this is Mental Health Week, it's about talking."

Louie then quipped: "Man up definitely wouldn't work for me darling!"

Yesterday, ex Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore appeared on GMB to talk about his experience of depression during his career, but it was Piers’ blunt views which hit headlines.

Piers said: "On this issue of man up, I don't like the way having a stiff upper lip has been offensive.

"Sometimes a bit of tough love, and an 'I you know you can do this', is not a bad thing."

Meanwhile Pineapple Dance Studios presenter Louie went on to tell Lorraine his own experiences of anxiety started from a young age.

He told the Scottish host: "I wasn't speaking and I didn't want to go out.

"I didn't care if my husband left me, or for my family.

"I never wanted to kill myself, but I thought it would be easier if I wasn't here."

Louie said he was managing his illness with medication.

Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220