DJ Fat Tony recalls being diagnosed with HIV in 2001 as doctors told him it had ‘gone to his brain’ after losing ‘all of his peer group’ to the disease

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DJ Fat Tony remembers when he found out he had HIV in 2001. Doctors told him the virus had affected his brain.

The 60-year-old musician, who has sadly seen all of his friends and colleagues succumb to the illness, shared that he initially dismissed his own symptoms, attributing them to his past struggles with alcohol and drugs, as his life had been significantly disrupted by addiction.

Tony had the disease for as long as 15 years without knowing it, and because it went undiagnosed for so long, he eventually fell into a coma that lasted four months.

On Davina McCall’s ‘Begin Again’ podcast, he revealed he’d once planned his own funeral because of his struggles with addiction, which is why he never thought about getting tested for HIV.

He remembered the day his mother discovered him collapsed on the floor. He explained that he’d been losing consciousness and having seizures, but initially believed it was due to alcohol and drug use.

My mum found me passed out in the kitchen and immediately took me to the hospital, where I received my diagnosis that day.

He explained that the experience had deeply affected him, stating, ‘It really got inside my head.’ He felt he’d lost touch with people his age long before the years 1985 to 1995.

Davina added: ‘It was terrifying how many people we lost. 

It really struck me when Tony said it – every single person who’s ever achieved something amazing, they’re just…gone, eventually. One minute they’re here, making history, and the next, they’re in the hospital, maybe just with a cold, and that’s all it takes. It’s a sobering thought, honestly.

But why? What happened that caused their deaths? Why were they treated with so little dignity? People simply abandoned and disregarded them.

This colorful DJ had a unique upbringing on a Battersea estate and was first introduced to cocaine by Freddie Mercury when he was just 15 years old. He initially rose to prominence as a drag performer in the 1980s, then transitioned to DJing in the 90s, becoming a fixture in a lively social scene alongside celebrities like Tracey Emin, Kate Moss, and Madonna.

Tony said he had ‘built a life around destruction’ but later managed to turn it all around. 

In his memoir, I Don’t Take Requests, he previously discussed his HIV diagnosis, noting that many young people today aren’t aware of the struggles faced in the 1980s. He explained that the era’s HIV/AIDS crisis was largely hidden and isn’t well understood by current generations.

Sometimes, real life isn’t easy to read about. When I wrote the chapter about HIV in my book, I decided not to sugarcoat it – I wanted to present the facts as they are.

Tony asked, “How can you possibly joke about losing all your friends, or about losing someone you love?”

I lived with the addiction for roughly ten to fifteen years, and I was so consumed by it that getting tested was the furthest thing from my mind.

In a previous interview with the Daily Mail, Tony – who has been sober from drugs and alcohol for over 18 years – explained that he used to be the source of the issues.

As someone who’s embraced a sober lifestyle, I can honestly say rediscovering music has been the greatest gift. It’s not just about hearing music for me, it’s about feeling it – it’s truly the most powerful and fulfilling experience, and honestly, the best ‘high’ there is.

You know, I used to think the issue was everything around me – the parties, the substances. But I realized it wasn’t about those things at all; it was about me. Now, I’ve made a conscious choice not to participate, and honestly, being around it doesn’t bother me anymore. People sometimes ask if I miss that life, and I honestly think they’re joking! It’s just not something I want or need anymore.

I’m truly happy with my life, and a big part of that is avoiding certain past behaviors. If I went back to those things, it would ruin everything I’ve built, both personally and professionally.

Tony suddenly realized he needed to change his life and immediately stopped using drugs. He then spent six months in a rehabilitation program to overcome his addiction.

He explained that the first three months were incredibly difficult, as he knew this was his last chance to turn his life around after struggling with alcohol and drugs.

I was a mess, honestly. I’d wasted away to just seven stone, and things were so bad I’d even lost all my teeth. I was completely broken, just…gone. Then, out of nowhere, something clicked one night. It was like a spark, and it was all thanks to the love and support of one incredible person – they literally saved my life. I owe everything to them.

After that, I decided to get help at a rehab facility for six months, and then move to London. It was a huge decision, because I knew I wouldn’t return to my old life.

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2026-03-12 19:54