Introduction to John Whaite’s Struggle
TV chef John Whaite has revealed his five-year addiction to steroids "made me want to end my life". The 36-year-old is best known for winning The Great British Bake Off in 2012 and coming second as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. In an emotional video posted on Instagram, Whaite revealed that he had been "taking anabolic steroids illegally for five years and those things really, really messed up my life."
The Reason Behind His Addiction
He said he started taking steroids during lockdown "because I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw." Whaite explained he suffers from bulimia, an eating disorder and body dysmorphia in which a person perceives defects in their own body that are often less noticeable to others. He said: "The more people acknowledge what I look like on steroids, the more I feel good, I feel valuable."
The Side Effects of Steroids
He said a side effect was that his testicles had shrunk: "I have tiny testicles now, there’s your headline," he said. Whaite also said steroids gave him acne and an unregulated sex drive. The chef and TV presenter said he decided to speak out after hearing a younger male member of his family talking about a "dangerously strong steroid".
The Dangers of Steroids
Whaite is worried about the young boys who are growing up and seeing these unrealistic body shapes on Instagram. "You only have one body, so please just respect it, just let it do what it can, don’t try to push it, stretch, eat well, try to get to the point where you look in the mirror and see yourself with kind eyes." Taking steroids, he added, was a "stupid decision on my part," adding that he was "tired of being tied to that solution."
Choosing Life and Health
In a caption accompanying the video, Whaite concluded: "Steroids have made me want to end my life." "This stops now. I choose life. I choose health. I choose love. I choose a simpler life." Whaite said he hopes that by speaking out, "young boys will think very carefully about how they treat their bodies."
What are Steroids and Are They Illegal?
Anabolic steroids – an artificial substance that copies the male hormone testosterone – are Class C drugs that are legal for personal use. Pharmacists can issue them, but only with a prescription. However, it is illegal to supply or sell them, including giving them to friends. The maximum prison sentence is 14 years. Anabolic steroid seizures rose by 26% in the UK last year to 995,830 doses, most of which were found at the UK border.
The Risks and Side Effects
There is no official medical research or guidance on how to reduce the risk of taking it. The steroids stop many normal body functions, including sperm production. Side effects such as testicular shrinkage can be reversible. However, when men stop taking the drug, it can take years and is often not complete. If you are affected by any of the issues in this story, you can find support at BBC Action Line.
