A FORMER Love Island star has opened up about his ‘toughest’ health battle with pain, anxiety and depression.
It comes over seven years on from his appearance in the ITV reality dating show.
Jamie Jewitt, 34, placed as runner-up in series three alongside his now-wife Camilla Thurlow.
Speaking on The Optiman Podcast, Jamie shared how the recent festive period affected him.
He said: “It actually really did mess me up, Christmas did.”
Continuing, he recalled: “It’s been a really tough two weeks.
“Toughest in memory. I’ve gone through a real journey from when I stopped drinking [and] got rid of other addictions.
“Last couple years, I’ve really been on a good level. And especially the last eight, nine months when I really cleaned my diet up.”
He revealed “clean eating” had helped ease struggles including his digestive issues, joint pain, arthritis and struggling with mood and depression.
However, Jamie revealed how indulging over Christmas had a detrimental impact.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Inside Jamie Jewitt and Camilla Thurlow’s incredible family home with huge stairs and mezzanine” 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=”6363593934112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He recounted: “Having glasses of wine, eating chocolate and indulging. That’s what I did for two weeks.”
According to the star, his joint pain and physical issues returned at the end of the two weeks.
Jamie continued: “But the worst part of it was, my depression was unbelievable. I would wake up in the morning, my motivation in life… it upsets me to even think about.
“I was driving around and got upset to myself, in the car because I didn’t understand why I was so anxious and angry.”
Jamie recalled his therapist asking “what’s changed in your situation?”.
The star explained: “He would talk me through and make me realise nothing had.
“That was kind of the first thought that went into my head – when I was sitting there and I broke down on the side of the road in my car and I didn’t know why.”
Then 27, Jamie entered the Love Island villa in 2017 as a late arrival on Day 32.
As for Camilla, she had been one of the original islanders who arrived on Day 1.
The pair wed in September 2021 and last May, their household got a little bigger with the addition of Camilla and Jamie’s third child.
Camilla wrote on Instagram at the time: “And just like that.. we are a family of 5.
“Meet baby Brodie.
“12.38pm 8th May 6lb15oz.”