I have terrible health anxiety..Every day I wake and think 'what's wrong with me?

Niggling fears haunt EastEnders star Jamie

- ABI JACKSON

Most of us have worried about a health problem that's looming on the horizon. But for EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, that niggling fear can often become overwhelming.

The actor explains: "I have terrible health anxiety. I'm a massive hypochondriac. Every day, I wake up and go, 'what's wrong with me today?"

The problem started with his teenage emetophobia, a fear of being sick, which then developed into further health issues. Jamie, 29, has had therapy for the phobia and learnt ways to cope with his anxiety.

He says: "The therapy sessions have really helped me. But I don't think these things ever fully leave you.

"You just become equipped to be able to deal with it. I'm far from perfect, but I'm certainly in a much better place than I was 10 years ago."

But recently Jamie, who has been Enders' Jay Brown since 2006, was hit for six by the news that his dad Simon, 57, and uncle Charlie were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He also has a cousin currently going through treatment.

Jamie burst into tears when mum Sharon and Simon sat him down to tell him. "I was in fits crying, I was in floods," he says. "When Mum explained it had been caught early and was going to be OK, I was like, 'OK...

"The surgery went well, the doctors were fantastic and thankfully he's been through his checks and it's all clear, we're all good." His uncle has also recovered.