Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I struggled with fame and had a breakdown but I’m not afraid to admit it...
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy on winning cancer fight
to the pub and afraid to go anywhere. I had a counsellor and all and now I am great now and I haven’t looked back.
“That really helped me. It took control of everything and I am not ashamed to say that.
“You couldn’t have given me a million pound to say that once upon a time but I did have a severe breakdown and I am alright now.
“I felt like a vampire, I was sucked dry. But I look at life and it is so brilliant now, nothing could destroy me now.”
Paddy, who revealed he has a new lease and love of life since overcoming cancer, added: “I have my life back to normal now. If you get afraid of yourself, you are losing it.
“When I go to the shops, to ASDA and all and people come up to me it doesn’t bother me anymore.
“But before I wouldn’t go to the shops, I wouldn’t go anywhere. I was afraid.
“It was like panic attacks. But I am better now and when I go to shops and I meet people now, I enjoy it.
“The only thing that came out great out of my celebrity status is the charity stuff. I used to love doing those things. From the bottom of my heart.”
And the TV star, who has been urging men to swallow their pride and get checked out, said he feels no shame speaking out if it means saving a life.
Paddy added: “I was very proud and I had it for four months before I told my wife, my woman.
“And she started roaring crying and telling me to go to the doctor.
“When I used to go for a pee, the pain was unbelievable. I went to the doctors, and who is the doctor but a woman.
“And it was so embarrassing because I was so much of a man but she made me feel comfortable.
“I said if you want to take it off, take it off. Castrate me, I don’t care.
“And I said I do mean that and I did mean it. The pain, you wouldn’t wish it on an animal.
“I’m all clear now and I am only on one tablet a day, a steroid, and that’s it.
“Life is so different now. I treasure every day. Every day is a good day now because I am alive.
“And I am ashamed of nothing now.” Dan and Paddy’s 10-part series will broadcast on Sky channel Travelxp from Monday to February 5.