Hollyoaks, came on his 30th birthday when he realised he was able to enjoy time alone with his thoughts for the first time since he was 13.
In 2011 he met his wife Katy, 36, a reporter for Good Morning Britain, a relationship he lovingly describes as a 'reward' for his struggles.
He said in a frank interview with OK! magazine : "From the age of about 17, I was essentially suicidal. The only thing that stopped me was knowing that my parents would blame themselves and it would ruin their lives.