Richard Bacon reveals he’s now reliant on heartburn tablets and vitamin injections to cope with the fallout from his heavy drinking – and quit AA because it’s ‘boring’

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Richard Bacon has spoken candidly about his prolonged battle with alcohol dependency, acknowledging that he often suffers from lack of sleep and relies on antacids for heartburn and vitamin shots to manage the aftermath of excessive drinking.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to share an intriguing tale from my perspective. At the tender age of 22, I found myself in the midst of a whirlwind journey that had begun just 18 months prior when I landed my dream job at Blue Peter. However, my career took an unexpected turn in 1997, when I was unceremoniously dismissed from this cherished position, following a confession about my use of cocaine in a London nightclub.

Since then, he’s been transparent about his ongoing battle with addiction, most recently sharing openly during a heartfelt conversation on a podcast.

The speaker, who’s currently 49 years old, shared that he finds it challenging to accept responsibility, as a physician once informed him that his addiction stems from a genetic predisposition passed down from his alcoholic mother.

Recently, he mentioned that he visited a specialist about alcohol consumption. He’s not at the point where he’s lost control, but he feels it would be beneficial for him to cut down on his drinking. Excessive alcohol can interfere with quality sleep and leave him feeling lethargic and uninterested in activities.

‘I don’t get enough sleep because I drink too much. I enjoy drinking.’

In conversation with Jessica Knappett on The Perfect Day podcast, he commented: “It’s obvious when you consume too much alcohol if you frequently use antacids like Rennie. It also indicates that if you’re middle-aged and finding yourself using such remedies often, then your drinking habits may be excessive.

He additionally admitted to regularly receiving vitamin B12 injections as a means to manage the symptoms following excessive alcohol consumption. “Vitamin B12 injections are well-known for helping with hangovers,” he explained, “they give you a boost of energy.

For the final months of the previous year and the early part of this one, I was having something once a week. I have a physician who is similar to Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s doctor – he tends to provide me with whatever I request.

Initially, I had eight prescriptions, and yet my health wasn’t significantly problematic. He essentially said, ‘You have minor deficiencies here and there, a touch of this, a touch of that.’ Mostly, it was vitamin-related, but oddly, it involved prescriptions. Surprisingly, it proved effective… He’s remarkable.

In 1998, Richard was dismissed from the kids’ show Blue Peter following his confession about using cocaine. Notably, he remains the sole presenter ever let go from the program throughout its entire history.

At age 21, I landed a position with Blue Peter, but unfortunately, I had to leave that role when I turned 22. This event caused quite a stir in the public eye. Reflecting on this, Richard said…

It seems like there might be a chance for redemption when someone gets caught for drug possession, right? It’s not the most severe offense out there.

‘There are actions far more harmful that tarnish your image as a good person. For instance, physically assaulting someone, engaging in sexually aggressive behavior, or making racist remarks – these behaviors are not well-received by others because they expose negative aspects of your character. On the other hand, many people can tolerate and move past the desire to get intoxicated or high.’

Currently, the innovative mind responsible for hit TV series such as “This Is My Home” and “I Literally Just Told You”, Richard, candidly acknowledges that his personal lifestyle occasionally poses challenges.

‘I find it bothersome that when I don’t drink alcohol the night before, I seem to have an abundance of energy at work the next day. This increased energy helps me perform better on creative tasks.’

In my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, I’ve noticed that he continues his regular alcohol consumption but has chosen to step away from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). His reasoning is that he finds the meetings monotonous and unengaging.

‘I’ve experienced numerous phases where I abstained, and I’ve also participated in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). I respect AA, but I find it intriguing how the most captivating stories are presented in a way that bores me. And let me assure you, I’m not kidding.’

In Chelsea, there was an encounter with multiple notable individuals where a certain individual narrated an incident. He shared how he had emerged from prison following an arrest for drug use and car theft. Subsequently, he was pursued by a police helicopter and drove through a police blockade. What I remember most vividly is me glancing at my watch, feeling somewhat uninterested, thinking ‘it’s all rather uneventful.’

Suppose you’re having a conversation with someone, but they seem to be sharing one captivating tale after another. After a while, the stories become so frequent that they start to lose their impact.

Even though he found it challenging to keep attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings for long periods, he acknowledged the selflessness of those who had remained sober for many years and continued their participation. “If I were 15 years sober, I wouldn’t still be going to AA meetings, listening to more tales,” he admitted. “I believe some of them are confident they won’t drink again, but they genuinely want to assist. Thus, it remains a very optimistic environment. Unfortunately, it didn’t help me.

At the age of 42, Richard, who mentioned he had been diagnosed with a highly potent form of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sought advice from a professional concerning his excessive drinking habits. The specialist shared that this potentially harmful behavior might have been genetically passed down to him.

In simpler terms, my mother struggles with alcohol addiction, and my grandfather passed away due to alcohol-related issues. When discussing this matter, my granddad often said, “It’s because of genetics – it runs in the family.

I suggested that for some individuals, their condition might be due to unresolved childhood traumas or an avoidance of certain issues. However, he countered by stating that it could simply be a matter of genetics, or a hereditary disease.

I believe I could explain to my wife that this isn’t my doing, but rather the result of actions by my grandfather and mother.” This version maintains the original meaning while using more polite and respectful language, which may be preferred in certain contexts.

He stated: “I consume alcohol, I find pleasure in it, and I don’t seem to face consequences, so it’s all good. It’s not really about fearing danger. It’s more about the calories and the lack of sleep that bothers me.

Instead of consuming beer and red wine, which are high in calories, he prefers sticking to vodka, especially in the form of a martini with a twist, as it helps him reduce calorie intake in his drinks.

When visiting a bar and asking for a vodka drink only to be asked about the type of vodka, it can seem pointless since they all taste alike to me.

Previously of Radio 5 Live and Capital FM, this individual resides in north London with his spouse Rebecca McFarlane, along with their two kids, Arthur (age 13) and Ivy (age 11). Contrary to popular belief, he acknowledges that parenthood did not entirely curb his lively spirit.

He shared that Rebecca had long dreamed of becoming a mother, and it was indeed a joyful event for her. However, he admitted that she may feel regret towards him during that period as he continued to go out, shoulder less responsibility, and return home late.

During the initial years, it took me longer than expected to fully grasp my responsibilities. As a result, she bore an excessive load.

He went on to say: “I didn’t aspire to become a parent until I encountered her. Once we developed an extremely deep connection, the idea of having children became more appealing. She often discussed kids, which made me realize, ‘Oh, that makes sense now.’

Recently, I found myself contemplating the idea of having another child… I must admit, I’m incredibly relieved to be past that stage. It was Rebecca who truly carried the burden, and it turns out it’s much more challenging than most people let on.

‘People rarely acknowledge how challenging it is. They depend on me to sustain their lives, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s as if I’m going through hell. When they are young, around two, three, or four years old, they can be quite bothersome.’

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2025-07-29 14:51