ADAM Collard has opened up about his secret battle with depression in 2024 – calling it “the hardest year of my life”.
The Love Island star admitted to having a painkiller and sleeping pill addiction and struggling with his mental health in the same year he proposed to his pregnant girlfriend Laura Woods.
Adam, 29, bravely turned to therapy and anti-depressants when he was struggling most.
“This year was tough, tougher than ever before,” he confessed to fans on Instagram.
Listing everything bad that happened to him in 2024, Adam said: “I struggled with my mental health more than ever. Lost something important. Struggled with injuries.
“I suffered with addiction to painkillers and sleeping pills and justified it as ‘it doesn’t affect fitness’ or because it wasn’t booze.
“Got diagnosed with depression. Prescribed anti-depressants. Lost family. Drifted from certain friends. Tried to reach out to people and failed. Felt lost.”
However, to inspire fans to keep going, he went on to say that it was also the “greatest year of my life”.
Adam continued: “Remember you are always strong enough to reframe things and change the outcome.”
[quote credit=”Adam Collard”]I suffered with addiction to painkillers and sleeping pills and justified it as ‘it doesn’t affect fitness’ or because it wasn’t booze.”[/quote]He then listed all the difficulties he overcame, before revealing his biggest highlight as being Laura’s pregnancy.
Adam said: “I started therapy and got over the fear of it. Travelled with people I love. Understood myself better and began to like me more.
“Reflected on things I’m proud of. Developed stronger friendships, made up with lost family. Proposed.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Laura Woods put through pregnancy gym workout by fiance Adam Collard as TNT Sports host says ‘fighting for my life’ ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6364596414112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“Signed new contracts with brands I love. Went back on TV, got rid of people holding me back. Built a bigger business.”
Adam ended by saying: “I found out I was going to be a dad. The highlight. Felt more love than ever.”
The reality star added: “It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but if you feel like you’re losing everything, remember that trees lose their leaves every day and they still stand tall and wait for better days to come. Stay strong.”
His fiance Laura commented underneath the Instagram post, telling him: “Amazing, Adam. All my love.”
Personal trainer Adam, 28, has been dating sports presenter Laura, 36, since 2023.
He proposed at “the place they fell in love” in September after getting down on one knee on a beach in Cornwall.
They had previously revealed they were expecting a baby in July, as Laura shared a picture of an ultrasound, complete with her French bulldog peeking over the top.
He’s come a long way since 2018 when he was slammed as a love rat over his flings while finding fame on Love Island.
Adam then made history as the first star to return to the show as a bombshell in series eight.
He made it to the final week of series eight with co-star Paige Thorne by turning the Welsh paramedic’s head while she was coupled up with Jacques O’Neill who later walked out the villa.
Adam made her his girlfriend soon after leaving the show – but split months later.
