Former EastEnders star Paul Nicholls, who played the loveable Joe Wicks on the BBC soap, has admitted he’s terrified if he doesn’t kick his cocaine addiction, he’ll end up losing his life.
The 42-year-old star has opened up on the height of his addiction, which peaked last year, saying “if I don’t stop, I will die” in a candid new interview.
He also spoke honestly about taking cocaine in random flats with complete strangers.
In 2018, the actor had suffered a stroke which left him paralysed down one side and led to depression as he struggled to recover and move on in the aftermath.
This prompted him to relapse into addiction a year later, but now Paul can finally speak openly about his battle to recovery from the evil drug.
“The rabbit hole I went down [with addiction] led to places that I never thought I’d end up in,” the star told The Sun. “In flats with people that I didn’t know.
“I was taking lots of dihydrocodeine, a very strong opiate pain killer and on top of that, cocaine . . . every time I relapsed cocaine is always present.
“At certain points I’d be gone for three or four days and not sleep at all,” the actor continued. “I stopped caring, I pressed the ‘f*** it’ button.”
Speaking about the last time he ended up relapsing, Paul admitted he was doing all sorts of drugs, but panicked when he realised people were starting to recognise him.
(Image: Getty Images)
“I was looking around and I thought, ‘If I don’t stop, I will die’. I’ve still got so much shame around this stuff,” the Ackley Bridge actor added.
This year, Paul is fighting to turn his life around once and for all, and said he is attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
But the battle is tough, and Paul admitted he’s still struggling from a horrific experience during a trip to Thailand that ended up with him trapped under a waterfall for three days with two broken legs.
Paul had “37 different infections” and was in hospital on antibiotics for six months before he was allowed to travel back to the UK.
(Image: (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) Channel 4 Picture Publicity, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2TX)
The actor appeared in Albert Square from 1996-1997 and played the iconic David Wicks’ (Michael French) son Joe.
His portrayal of a man battling schizophrenia and the major storyline itself was widely praised by fans and critics alike.
Paul has also appeared in huge Hollywood films like Bridget Jones’ Diary: The Edge of Reason, and more recently BBC police drama Death in Paradise.
The actor is also known for dating fellow soap stars Martine McCutcheon, 45, and Danniella Westbrook, 47, but is currently single.
Despite a difficult two years, Paul said it was the help of friends that brought him back from the brink and made him attend NA meetings.
“I have fear, which most addicts do. But I can get to a year clean again and work again,” the star added.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
