Bobby Norris and Chizzy Akudolu
Actress and Strictly star Chizzy Akudolu on her career, mental health battle and why she wouldn’t do I’m A Celeb
As a showbiz interviewer there are some celebs you just connect with instantly and in actress Chizzy Akudolu, I’ve found a kindred spirit. And it seems like the charismatic star is feeling my vibe, too.
“There’s something special about you,” she tells me. “That’s what’s really beautiful about reality TV – you get some gems from it, like you!”
Cheers, Chizzy!
There’s a whole host of topics for us to get stuck into, including the 46-yearold’s struggle with her mental health following her diagnosis with depression in 2014, and her upset at departing Strictly during the first week back in 2017.
But the actress, whose best known role was as surgeon Mo Effanga in medical drama Holby City from 2012 to 2017, is excited to return to acting.
“Auditions have started coming in,” she says. “Some places are opening up around July, others August. There are going to be lots of filming guidelines and fewer people in scenes. It’s crazy.”
I’m sure you’ll smash it, hun. Here, Chizzy tells us how she deals with her depression, gives us the lowdown on her time in Holby and reveals why she’ll be avoiding kangaroo testicles…
Hi Chizzy! You’ve been suffering a bit with depression during lockdown. What are your coping mechanisms?
I came off social media about a month ago. It was all getting a bit too much for my head. When I’m depressed, I need my sleep. I recover a lot better and recharge in my sleep. I’ll go for a walk, but sometimes you don’t want to do that and you don’t want to talk to people – you just want to stay in your own little bubble. But I do have a therapist, so when it gets bad I talk to him. I try to stay away from anything negative and anything that’s going to set me off.
Have you suffered with it for a long time?
I was diagnosed in 2014 when I was in Holby City and it was a bizarre time. It was one of those times when, for once, I was earning proper money and working full-time. I really loved the job and I couldn’t understand why I was feeling so low. The doctor diagnosed me with depression and asked if I wanted antidepressants. I said yes because I had to get back to being me. They really helped.
I’ve probably had bouts of it before, but you put it down to being a bit sad or low. I never thought it would be depression, because I didn’t really know enough about it. For me, it’s a chemical imbalance in my brain which stops me from being happy and being able to deal with things.
A lot of people tell you to “Cheer up” or say “Don’t worry”, but it’s just not possible…
Yeah, or “What have you got to be so depressed about?” is another one you hear. You think, “Mate, I’d love not to be feeling this way or bursting out crying every few minutes and not know why.” It’s no fun. People need to be a bit more tolerant and learn about it because you’d be surprised how many people are suffering in silence.
Do you miss having the routine of a full-time job at Holby?
Yes and no. It’s not like my job was hard, and I did get used to the routine. Then I didn’t miss the routine once I left. I miss working with the people at Holby. They’re an amazing bunch – the cast, crew, the security, the cleaners, the production team. The job is great too, but I really miss the camaraderie and the family nature. It’s a special place for me and always will be. Whether I go back or not, I’ll always treasure the time I had there.
Was it a hard decision for you to leave?
It was very hard. I was there for
five years and when it was coming up to the fourth year my agent was like, “What are you going to do?” I thought, “Let me do one more year.” Then I realised I had to tell them I wanted to leave. It took me ages to speak to the producer. When I walked in I said, “I’m going to leave. It’s nothing to do with the place – I love it here!” Then I burst out crying.
Aw, bless you!
It took a lot to leave. Actors are nomads and we should move around from job to job. There were things I wanted to do. In a way it was easy, because I assumed I would work again. But when you do leave you’re like, “What if I don’t?” [Laughs] There is massive security with that job, but nothing is 100 per cent secure. It was home and I saw people there more than I saw my own family. But you feel like you need a bit more of a challenge.
How does doing reality TV and panel shows compare to having a character to hide behind?
Appearing on Loose Women came as a result of Strictly. Strictly was the first time people saw me stepping out from any character
I’ve ever done. I thought it would be a breeze, but suddenly people weren’t liking what they saw. Just because the character is popular, it doesn’t mean the actor is. It’s very different because you’re suddenly not reading from a script or being a character – you’re putting yourself out there to be judged. I’m fascinated by watching reality TV, but not being in it. With actors, we’re constantly playing somebody else, we’re not necessarily wanting you to know who the real us is. Sometimes on Loose Women I would bare too much of myself, but as an actor there needs to be an air of mystery about you.
Did you enjoy your experience on Strictly?
It was beautiful. It was a beautiful bubble with lovely people. For it suddenly to stop so abruptly was heartbreaking. Once you finish, it’s like, “I don’t know what to do with myself.” Doing the Christmas Special
[in 2019] was beautiful closure. Graziano [Di Prima] was my partner and I adore that man.
Is there a chance we might see you eating kangaroo testicles on I’m A Celeb next, Chizz?
Absolutely not! Never, ever. A part of me goes, “Ooh I’d love the challenge.” But no, I know me. I’ve got a very quick gag reflex and the boredom… I don’t do well with boredom. It’s just not for me.
What about sticking on a pair of blades for Dancing On Ice?
No. That looks dangerous as hell – I’m not interested! The show’s great and I want the professionals to become as popular as the Strictly dancers, because they’re incredible. I’ve dipped my toe into reality TV and it was fun, but I want to get back to the acting world. You have to be careful not to do too much reality as you can become pigeonholed.