RICHARD’S SECRET FAMILY BATTLE

The King of the Jungle and celebrity gossip guru Richard Reid is rarely seen without a dazzling smile or his signature booming laugh. But in a candid interview with New Idea, the Us-born TV star has made a rare confession about his mental health as his beautiful mother suffers dementia.

Richard’s private pain is laid bare when he speaks about his 85-year-old mum, Lynn.

“Last year my family made a decision to put my mum into a nursing home, which was a very difficult decision and I know a lot of families have to go through that,” Richard tells New Idea.

“My mum battled bipolar and borderline personality disorder. When I was young, we just thought, ‘Oh Mum is moody’. But she definitely struggled with bipolar and she had mood swings. There is a lot of shame and stigma attached to mental health. “It was really, really hard. I just didn’t understand. And doctors had to use electroshock therapy, which sounds barbaric and has a bad reputation, but it really saved her life. We got another 20 years before she had another bad episode.” Richard travels back home to the US often to spend time with his mum and admits it hurts to see her slowly slip away. “She still knows who

I am. But there are episodes where she doesn’t remember,” Richard says. “She gets very confused. I still have to explain to her every time I see her why I was in the jungle! It does hurt. And there was one time she couldn’t remember my sister’s name, and it rocked my sister to the core.”

His mother’s painful battle triggered the Today and Studio 10 reporter’s passion for mental health, leading him to become an ambassador for Beyond Blue.

Richard knows his sunny disposition can be deceptive for many people. Like anyone, he has his dark days. You wouldn’t guess it, but the loud and proud television personality was even bullied. “I’m naturally upbeat and happy and I love talking to people, yet I do have my down days. And being in the public eye, that can be challenging – when you’re not having the best day ever and everybody wants you to be bright and shiny,” he says.

“When I was young, I think I was bullied every day of my life for about 10 years. I felt so awful about myself. But it’s made me much more empathetic and compassionate towards others.”

After a stellar 11-year career on Australian TV, Richard has earned his celebrity status. Being crowned winner of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here earlier this year is testament to how much the public adores him. The TV veteran is determined to keep it real and says he’ll never “sell out” like some high-profile personalities.

“I don’t even think of myself as a celebrity. But it’s so funny, yet I’ve been on Celebrity Apprentice, I’m a Celebrity ... what’s next? Celebrity hasbeen?! There’s a shelf life for us! I’m a solid C-lister,” he says with a chuckle.

“I’ve got 45,000 followers [on social media] and I still don’t know what to do with them! Instagram is very odd. Some people are telling me I should try to use it to ‘influence’ other people or use it to spruik things. But it just doesn’t feel organic. I won’t even take a free vacation. It just seems too weird!”

Richard’s time in the jungle was a bizarre experience. It gave him a platform to speak about mental health, although he needed thick skin for the nastier parts.

“I just don’t have the patience for other people’s drama. I’m a no-drama zone. I happen to be a dramatic and loud personality, but I’m honestly more interested in hearing about other people’s stories,” Richard admits.

“But it was a nice clarity and the real challenge was coming back to civilisation and feeling overwhelmed by social media and emails. I do miss the peace and quiet of the jungle!”

After a blockbuster year, what’s on the horizon for Richard? He’s open to finding love, but admits he’s happy being single.

“I travel so much, and I’ve had relationships and romances, but I figure that I’ve had my share. If Prince Charming rode up – or even Prince Charming’s ugly brother rode up – that would be great,” Richard laughs.

“But you just can’t live your life waiting for that. I’ve never equated happiness with being in a relationship.”

“I THINK I WAS BULLIED EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. I FELT AWFUL ABOUT MYSELF”

RICHARD REID TELLS ALL IN HIS MOST HONEST INTERVIEW EVER Richard Reid opened up about his mother Lynn’s fight with dementia and is not afraid to speak candidly about mental health and his own struggle with depression.

The outspoken celebrity gossip guru recently celebrated 11 years on Aussie TV – but he often visits his sick mother Lynn back home in the US.