Strictly's John Whaite says steroid use has 'messed with his life'

"for accountability, for integrity, but also because I think this is a problem that is increasingly prevalent, especially in gay culture."

"I've been taking anabolic steroids, illegally, for five years now, And these things have really, really messed with my life."

"As somebody who's got body dysmorphia, and bulimia, I looked in the mirror, and I hated what I saw."

"The more the people acknowledged how I looked on steroids, the more I felt good about myself,"

John Whaite used anabolic steroids illegally for five years, initially in cycles and continuously for the last two years. He began during Covid-19 lockdowns while struggling with body dysmorphia and bulimia. Steroid use produced noticeable aesthetic changes and increased public attention, including a 'Hercules' nickname during Strictly Come Dancing. Physical side effects included testicular shrinkage and an unregulated sex drive that led to risky behaviour. He decided to stop using steroids after discovering his 15-year-old nephew was researching them and voiced concern about social media-driven unrealistic physiques, particularly within gay culture and among young people.

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