Ruby's escape from fame - ‘I SAW MY LIFE BEING A MESS'

The funny woman chose to ditch her successful TV career to concentrate on her sanity

- Rebekah Hebenton

In her 40-year career as an entertainer, Ruby Wax has done it all. She’s performed on prestigious stages as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, she’s reached the height of comedy working alongside the likes of Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French, and has even hosted her own BAFTAnominated chat show.

But these days, the loud, brash TV darling has left behind the glitz and glamour of show business, and has instead become a passionate advocate for mental health awareness in the UK and was even awarded an OBE in 2015 for her work.

The change in direction was inspired by the 68-year-old’s search for ways to deal with the depression that plagued her during the height of her fame, sometimes leaving her bedridden for days.

“For months I researched what treatments were on offer, and it turned out that mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy could have impressive results,” the star tells the Weekly from her UK home.

She was so impressed by what she learned that she ended up getting her Master’s degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford University, and is about to release her third book on the topic, A Mindfulness Guide for Survival, inspired by the trauma she saw in people during lockdown.