Singer swapped the streets for a stage after battle
CHRISTIAN Sayers has suffered with addiction all his life because of events in his youth, but there is now some light at the end of a very long tunnel.
The 32-year-old found himself walking the streets of Mumbles due to his drink and drug problem, which left him homeless.
A trauma he said he suffered in childhood and the demons it left him with led him to quit his home and he ended up without a roof over his head for six months.
Christian said: “I have been through quite a bit. I made myself homeless through addiction. My musician dad passed away when I was younger and I became addicted to drink and drugs due to trauma from the past. It was bad times, I used all of it – powders and ciders. I was sofa sleeping and would go up and down Mumbles and would do anything to keep myself active.”
He revealed there would always be a fight for bed space on a weekend.
“I was homeless for six months originally,” he said. “We would be all fighting for hotels on weekends.
“I would just walk up and down Mumbles. I was lonely as I was trying to stay away from the madness on the street.
“I would stay safe and awake.
“I would get scared at the time as I would see lots of stuff on the streets.
“It’s mad when you are out there and doing it, you have to be strong, as simple as that.
“When you would queue up for a bed on the weekends people would be fighting.
“This girl, who was on drugs at the time, was going to hit me. All I had was a blue acoustic [guitar] to my name.”
Christian said he had sought support to get a home through the former Swansea Homeless Sanctuary on High Street and was given help through Barod in Mansel Street, Swansea.
His addictions have led him to suffer with PTSD and anxiety along with other mental health issues.
“It’s not been the easiest life,” he said.
“I have got through addiction and was helped to get a flat.
“I went back to the centre (Swansea Homeless Sanctuary) and volunteered – it was amazing.
“I have been in my flat for two and a half years originally. It has not been the smoothest ride.”
He added: “I have had support from Barod – I am still fighting the good fight and have become a nonaddict through counselling.
“I have suffered with addiction all my life because of what happened when I was young.”
Christian, who is originally from Clydach, now lives in Sketty and he said having a roof over his head had made all the difference.
“I was given a council flat and it changed my life around,” he said.
Two years ago Christian formed a band called Deceptives, which saw them travel to Europe. However, the knock-on effect of Covid-19 is that they have only just released their new single Dangerous now.
The band is made-up of Rory O’neill, Dom Morris and Lewis Macdonald.
“We have been going for two years,” said Christian, who is a finalist of Welsh X Factor.
“We went out to France and represented our country and got the single out. It took us until now because of the virus to get it done.”
He added: “I am really proud.” ■