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Angela Scanlon’s Shocking Breakdown

BBG News

On Thursday, Angela Scanlon courageously shared her years-long struggle with feelings of isolation, disclosing that at times it led to a complete emotional collapse.

Despite a packed professional life, a lively family environment, and a substantial online presence, the 41-year-old Irish television host openly acknowledged moments of profound aloneness she experiences regularly.

Angela, who is married to Roy Horgan and is the mother of two young girls, recently disclosed that her limit was reached during a charity hike for CoppaFeel! in the Himalayas, India, back in November.

During the journey, the previous contestant on Strictly was part of a team with fellow television host Emma Willis, businesswoman Sara Davies, and The Great British Bake Off champion Candice Brown as team leaders.

In her Substack post, Angela narrated a heartfelt account about her journey. She expressed that her intention was to inspire and connect with fellow female hikers who had battled breast cancer.

Yet, mere days into the demanding hike, she began to feel emotionally overpowered by the powerful impact of the adventure.

After a few days, I reached my limit and broke down completely. It was an emotional outburst, with tears flowing freely, into the comfort of my yeti-themed blanket, as she confided.

At that moment, she reflected privately, “I’m not sure I can handle this. Perhaps I’m not the best fit. What on earth was going through my mind then? How presumptuous of me to assume I could match up to such brilliant women during such a delicate period.

In the quiet hours of the night, I’d grapple with self-doubt, feeling paralyzed. But then, I came to understand that I didn’t have to wear a mask of courage; instead, I just needed to be present, authentically myself.

Pondering over her past, Angela, who is the mom of Ruby (7) and Marnie (3), confessed that a sense of solitude had been gradually eating away at her for quite some time.

She expressed: ‘I felt isolated. It wasn’t the charming, “I yearn for my friends” kind of solitude. It was the desolate, empty feeling despite having an impressive 436K followers on Instagram, a bustling family life, a demanding job, and yet, I still seem to be echoing in emptiness.’

This sensation is nothing novel; it’s one that has periodically surfaced for quite some time – perhaps even persistently so. Despite this, I might never truly be solitary, as I seldom, if ever, am without companionship.

Today was a whirlwind with notifications pinging on my WhatsApp groups, toddlers tugging at me, artwork from seven-year-olds filling up the house, and an unending barrage of questions. My DMs were buzzing nonstop, and I had one meeting after another stacked back-to-back.

After achieving success in India, Angela unveiled that she chose to initiate an informal group known as the “Hot Messers”, which arranges casual outings named “Hot Mess Walks” for people to participate without any airs or graces.

She described it as: “A place where you can show up in casual clothes, maybe even shed tears on a park bench, without raising any eyebrows. A space where you don’t have to censor yourself to conform.

Although Angela initially worried no one would attend, her inaugural walk turned out to be a tranquil victory, as women opened up about their personal hardships such as heartache, solitude, and the tribulations of parenthood.

‘For the first time in a long time, I remembered that being seen – really seen – is enough.’

Angela mentioned that she recently organized the second Hot Mess Walk this past week, and it turned out to be twice as large as the initial one. Despite its increased size, it retained the same intensity – demonstrating that a lot of people yearn for similar authentic interactions.

In an interview last year on the show Loose Women, Angela shared about her fifteen-year struggle with eating disorders.

She described her experiences with anorexia and bulimia as follows: “They aren’t mutually exclusive; rather, they alternate, and at times, it can be quite dark.

In my teenage and early adult years, I found myself stuck in a difficult phase for about fifteen years. A pivotal moment for me came when a dear friend, also struggling, suggested that our health issues might be permanent.

As a devoted admirer, I found solace and strength in the company of many. However, the idea of being confined within such a limited area for an extended period was something I fiercely rebelled against.

Angela made her debut on the program for the very first time, and afterward, she humorously commented on Instagram that she had lost her “virginity” on Loose Women.

2023 saw Angela open up to Weekend Magazine, sharing that she often felt like a serene swimmer beneath the water’s surface, gracefully gliding above while vigorously paddling below.

I found myself flourishing in my professional journey, gaining recognition as a prominent broadcaster across the UK. My presence graced shows like The One Show and BBC2’s acclaimed series Your Home Made Perfect, while also hosting my own talk show in Ireland. To top it off, I managed to build a popular podcast that resonated with many listeners.

In my personal journey, I’ve learned to navigate life as a lifestyle expert, yet beneath this veneer lies a struggle I once faced: crippling insecurity. This insidious foe took root in the formative years of my teenage life, where it blossomed into an eating disorder that shaped much of my young adulthood. By the time I turned 20, my daily sustenance often consisted of just black coffee and canned pineapple, a far cry from the balanced diet needed for a healthy lifestyle.

Her anorexia and bulimia were later replaced with workaholism.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “From my perspective, an eating disorder often stems from a desire to exert control over aspects of life that seem beyond our reach when we feel powerless in other areas.

It took me quite some time to realize that I had simply swapped my eating disorder for a workaholic lifestyle, because I thought I had found a solution to my issues.

Reflecting on my journey, I crafted a fulfilling career and lifestyle that brought me joy. However, it wasn’t until I stepped back that I realized the underlying issues persisted, irrespective of my pace. I believe those grappling with addiction can empathize, as it’s all too simple to exchange one vice for another.

In her heartfelt memoir, Joyrider, Angela delves into a sense of void she experienced and shares not just her struggles, but also the factors that ultimately rescued her – by drawing upon her innate capacities for joy and appreciation towards life’s simple pleasures.

This is the ‘joyriding’ part of the book, referring to a conscious swerve into a ‘sweeter lane’.

Sharing her fears wasn’t easy, but she found it liberating and beneficial for others as well. In her own words, “Writing Joyrider was a liberating experience.

Discussing or expressing feelings about a situation can provide a sense of release and relief, as some may believe that conversations only occur when one is prepared. However, there’s an extraordinary power in addressing issues while they’re ongoing, as it allows for continuous healing to take place.

If the topics discussed in this tale have impacted you, reach out to the eating disorder charity Beat at 0808 801 0677 or the mental health charity Mind at 0300 123 3393 for support.

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2025-05-02 19:05

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