The Vamps singer Connor Ball has been impressing viewers across the country with his amazing skating capability on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
Wowing the judges week on week with his courageous dance moves and his willingness to push himself further, the 25-year-old musician has certainly earned his place in this year’s competition.
But although he has gained legions of fans from his singing career, and his presence on Dancing on Ice, Connor – who makes up one-fourth of The Vamps- has previously battled with panic attacks, depression and generalised anxiety order.
Daily Star has taken a deeper look inside the star’s health battle and how he has learnt to overcome it.
‘Unable to breathe’
(Image: ITV)
In 2018, Connor appeared on ITV’s This Morning and spoke to therapists Nik and Eva Speakman regarding his crippling fear of touring.
Speaking openly to presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, Connor revealed: “I suffer with generalised anxiety order, panic attacks and depression as well.
“In the band, it has affected me because I don’t go to as many things as I would like to or should do. I would like to be going out and seeing more people.”
When the TV therapists dug a bit deeper, it became evident that the musician felt uneasy when he had to travel to different countries to tour and the problems derived from when he was a lot younger.
(Image: ITV)
Talking about a terrifying incident that happened to him in Greece, he recalled: “I remember when we were on holiday and I had to swim under a big rock to get to a beach and I got stuck and I was like ‘I am not going to be able to breathe’.”
He also spoke candidly about an experience that left him shaken when he was six years old.
The star continued: “When I was six I was in Thailand and there were a load of monkey nuts on the table. I just went to grab one.
“I put it up to my face and it went red all over. When I got back I went and got tested.”
Breaking down in tears, Connor confessed: “I feel better once I am back in the UK.”
Panic attacks
(Image: Getty Images)
Although the star appears relatively confident while on stage, he recently disclosed that he was hospitalised for his anxiety-induced attacks.
When on his first tour with chart-topping boyband McFly, Connor was consumed with anxiety.
Talking to Express, he explained: “Even before we released Can We Dance we did a support gig with McFly, and I had to go into hospital because I was so anxious.
“I didn’t realise at the time that that’s what anxiety even was.”
He added: “I couldn’t breathe. It was overwhelming, but over the years I got used to it.”
While on ITV’s This Morning in 2018, Connor’s bandmate James Brittain-McVey shared his sympathy.
He said: “It is sad to think that some of the best times of my life were probably some of the worst times of Connor’s life.”
Taking ‘step back’
(Image: WireImage)
Connor has recently revealed that he uses different tactics in order to distract him from his crippling anxiety and so far it has proven to be extremely helpful.
Talking to OK! the star confessed that he uses gaming as a way to help him with his anxiousness.
He explained: “I use gaming as a form of escapism. Being on tour I’d always bring things like that with me and made sure I still chatted to mates from home to help forget about things I might’ve been struggling with,” he added.
Giving advice on how others can overcome anxiety, Connor expressed that it’s important to take “a step back” especially if you have a busy schedule.
He added: “Distraction is huge – it was for me anyway – and especially when schedules get busy you just have to try and take a step back a bit and try to chill out.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
