The Gladiators star Rob Beckett was not just living his “wildest dreams” once but had “surpassed” them. Still, he suffered from a hidden health issue that significantly impacted him.
The comedian and TV presenter was one of the four famous faces to appear on BBC’s Gladiators celebrity special.
Although his life was defined by a successful career and a happy family that appeared perfect on the surface, he was fighting his battles. So, here’s what happened to Rob as he’s opened up about his difficulties to inspire others.
Gladiator star Rob Beckett’s health struggles
Rob worked his way to fame, and he was lucky to have his wife, Louise Watts, support him. The couple married in 2015 and have two daughters, who the comedian chooses not to name.
By 2020, he had established himself as a successful comedian and TV presenter with opportunities flowing his way. In his autobiography A Class Act, Rob writes about an exciting television gig in Africa, during which he realised he wasn’t keeping well mentally.
“On January 4, 2020, I was nailing it,” he recalled. The show was being filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. He was only required to watch cricket, drink beer and go on safari with his best mate while getting paid. But, he couldn’t do it.
The comedian said: “Happily married to the love of my life, with two kids in a newly renovated family home, I had surpassed my wildest dreams.”
“But I was the unhappiest I have ever been. I woke up on January 5 in a five-star hotel room thinking it would be better and easier for everyone if I was dead,” he confessed.
He told his wife and manager how he felt and returned to the UK. He ended up seeing a therapist for six months. Rob still goes for refresher sessions when he feels “the darkness creep in.”
Rob is vocal about mental health
He learned from his experience that one needs to talk about mental health struggles to get better.
Rob wrote in his book: “I am telling you this as I always promote the message that people should talk about mental health, but I rarely do.”
He added: “So here I am, talking. I wanted to die when I had everything I ever wanted. So never judge yourself for feeling low. Tell someone and they will help you feel better.”
I woke up on January 5 in a five-star hotel room thinking it would be better and easier for everyone if I was dead
The Mock The Week star was glad to have sought help from a professional as it helped him focus on his career. Around the same time, he opened up about his mental health, the comedian got to star in the Disney movie Cinderella.
The pandemic helped him “recover and reflect.” Talking about his acting gig, the comedian said: “That would have killed me before I sorted my head out. But it was one of the first jobs after the pandemic I took on when I wasn’t being driven by fear — and I loved it.”
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Experiencing imposter syndrome
Apparently, Rob also experienced imposter syndrome in his comedy career. It is when you’re riddled with self-doubt and start to question your abilities and achievements.
Having hailed from a working class in contrast to a TV comedy circuit known to be “very middle class”, he struggled to fit in.
He explains in his book that he was once invited to Jimmy Carr’s London home for a party. The guest list included the biggest celebrities including Sir Elton John and Jonathan Ross.
As he didn’t want to show up empty-handed to the Mexican-themed party, Rob carried eight cans of Heineken and a bottle of tequila in a carrier bag.
Recalling the experience, Rob wrote: “I walked in with this big blue bag and thought: ‘[bleep], I know this isn’t the right thing to bring, but I can’t ditch it now, they’ve seen it’.”
He added: “So I just owned the moment and it was an open goal for Jimmy and Elton, me bowling in with a bag from the office.”
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