Fearne Cotton's Struggle with Anxiety at BBC Radio Show

Fearne Cotton has candidly revealed her struggles with anxiety while hosting BBC Radio 1, admitting that she often resorted to hiding in bathrooms to cope with panic attacks. Speaking on The Shift podcast, Cotton described her time at the station as "excruciating," expressing feelings of inadequacy while addressing millions of listeners daily. She reflected on the stigma surrounding mental health at the time, noting that she felt unable to share her struggles with colleagues. Cotton emphasized the lack of understanding about mental health issues during her tenure, stating, "I wish it had been different in a way back then." She acknowledged the progress made in recent years but lamented the challenges she faced, feeling "incapable" of performing her job while battling internal turmoil. The broadcaster often took breaks during songs to collect herself, yet kept her struggles hidden from others. After leaving Radio 1 in 2015 due to her pregnancy, Cotton experienced a resurgence of panic attacks as she returned to work. She described this period as a harsh awakening, linking her anxiety to a previous bout of depression. The panic attacks intensified, particularly when she was in high-pressure situations like live broadcasts, leading to sleepless nights and ongoing distress. Ultimately, Cotton made the difficult decision to step back from live radio, informing Radio 2 that she was "not mentally capable" of continuing in such a demanding role. Her story highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the need for open conversations in the workplace.