I was having a tough time but there is no stigma any more. If you are suffering.….GET HELP SUPPORT

WITH his booming voice and his groans of pleasure as he scoops a spoonful of dessert into his mouth on MasterChef, Gregg Wallace's larger-than-life TV persona has won him millions of fans.

- TOM BRYANT

But behind his extrovert, ebullient and exuberant TV appearances, he carries the same insecurities, anxieties and self-doubt as the rest of us.

Which is why the ex-greengrocer agreed to speak to our sister paper the Mirror's Men in Mind podcast - to show men they're not alone if they're struggling with their mental health.

Gregg, 58, said: "We have gone well past the stage where there's any stigma about talking about these things. If you are suffering at all, go and get help.

The premise of the podcast, in association with Mind, is simple: to encourage men to open up.

Mind's research shows one in five people have spoken to a loved one about their own mental health as a result of hearing a celebrity speak out about theirs.

And during our hour-long chat, Gregg was true to his word, showing admirable honesty as he opened up about subjects deeply personal to him.

a The first being how anxiety had been constant in his life for years, but something he now manages through therapy and self-care, including exercise, eating well and cutting down on booze.

But nine years ago, it wasn't such smooth sailing. An appearance on Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Aliona Vilani led to his anxiety levels soaring.

Gregg said: "I was having a really tough time. I was really, really stressed... so badly that the side of my face broke out into a rash, like cold sores." It got to the point where he couldn't take to the stage. And Strictly bosses were so worried about him they recommended he speak to a therapist.

Gregg recalled: "I was due to do the dance that night. I called her up and said, 'Are you free? Can you come and help me?' She jumped in the car, came into my dressing room and had me in floods of tears.