I love TV comedy.. it has the ability to lift you up

The mental health advocate and former Love Island star, 33, chats about his love of car show Top Gear, watching sport and which iconic show he’d want to bring back

Going on a run can really change my headspace

hi Alex. What are you currently watching on TV?

I actually mainly watch sport. I love Formula one and love football as well but if I’m going to watch something on Netflix, it’ll be drive To survive or something like that.

Do you binge watch anything?

I don’t usually binge watch too much, although one thing I did binge was Emily In Paris. It’s just so lighthearted. I try not to watch things that are particularly sad because I think there’s enough stuff in life that is hard enough as it is.

If you could bring back any TV show that’s been cancelled, what would it be?

I loved The Vicar of dibley. I actually enjoy Fawlty Towers as well. I do like comedy, it reminds me of when I was working in A&E, trying to have some kind of camaraderie and having a laugh with your colleagues as and when you can. I think comedy has an ability to lift you up.

If you could take part in any show, what would it be?

I did Celebrity MasterChef a few years ago and it didn’t go so well, I undercooked some chicken! I’ve always loved I’m A Celeb though. I think it’s a really fun, exciting kind of challenging show. I think strictly Come dancing is great as well. They’re both very good shows and I’d never say never to either, that’s for sure. What was your favourite show when you were

growing up?

I loved Top Gear. I love my cars. I used to get so excited at eight o’clock on a sunday because Top Gear would come on BBC Two. I loved it.

What are you up to at the moment?

I’m running the Hackney Half Marathon this month. I’m also doing the Big Half towards the end of the year. I’d love to do the London one next year too and do that for a mental health charity.

You recently paired up with AXA for the Mind health report but running has also been shown to really improve mental health. Was that the same for you? Honestly, there is nothing I’ve ever experienced that seems to have such a profound positive impact on my mood, or the clarity of my mind, as running. Going on a run can change my headspace. And I don’t know anything that has had the same effect.

Dr Alex George is working alongside AXA on its annual Mind health study. To read the report, search: “AXA helping Minds Flourish”