TV presenter Gok Wan has revealed he struggles with anorexia on a daily basis, having started his battle with the eating disorder in his early twenties.
The 40-year old was accepting an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University when he told students he had been bullied for being overweight during school, which forced him to drop out of his performing arts course.
Gok, whose weight crept up to 21stone at his heaviest, revealed that his bullying led to intense dieting and developed into an eating disorder that he still struggles with daily:
“I struggle with anorexia every day. It’s like a parasite that won’t go away. Realising it won’t go away is the biggest weapon.”
The presenter shot to fame on Channel 4 show How To Look Good Naked
Gok shot to fame for his Channel 4 show ‘How To Look Good Naked’, encouraging members of the public to feel more confident in their physical appearance. The presenter also regularly offers advice on body confidence.
Speaking about his daily struggles, Gok said his illness makes him more determined to get the most out of life:
“One day when you’re lying on your deathbed, what will you be thinking? Will you be worrying about how you look or whether you made the most out of life?
“Identity is really important and it’s not something that should be overlooked.”
