Rob Beckett has opened up about his past struggles despite a bustling career. The 39-year-old, often known as the voice behind E4’s Celebs Go Dating, while also co-hosting the much-loved Parenting Hell podcast alongside Josh Widdicombe, hasn’t always had it easy.
In his heartfelt autobiography ‘A Class Act’, he recounted a moment of crisis amidst a barrage of success. According to the Express, he said: “On January 4, 2020, I was nailing it.
“I had just flown into Cape Town, South Africa, in first class to film a TV show. The show was watching cricket, drinking beer and going on safari with one of my best mates AND getting paid. This filming was squeezed in during a nationwide sell-out tour.
“…Happily married to the love of my life, with two kids in a family home newly renovated, I had surpassed my wildest dreams. But I was the unhappiest I have ever been. I woke up on January 5 in a five-star hotel room thinking it would be better and easier for everyone if I was dead.”
Addressing his mental health head-on, Rob sought help after returning to the UK – leaning on his wife and manager for support while entering six months of therapy. Continuing his proactive approach, he stays vigilant against “the darkness” with regular refresher sessions.
In his book, published in 2021, he reportedly added: “I am telling you this as I always promote the message that people should talk about mental health, but I rarely do. So here I am, talking. I wanted to die when I had everything I ever wanted. So never judge yourself for feeling low. Tell someone and they will help you feel better.”
Rob credits the lockdown for giving him the opportunity to heal and re-evaluate his priorities, after which he landed a role in Disney’s Cinderella alongside Camila Cabello and Idina Menzel. “That would have killed me before I sorted my head out but it was one of the first jobs after the pandemic I took on when I wasn’t being driven by fear – and I loved it,” he recalled.