Woyem News 
John Whaite, the former winner of The Great British Bake Off, has opened up about how his life has changed since being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) earlier this year. In a recent interview with The Times, Whaite revealed that his diagnosis has brought a new understanding to his past behaviors.
Whaite explained that his ADHD diagnosis “makes sense of everything” and has made him realize that some of his reactions in the past may have been oversensitive or overreactions. He stated, “I don’t believe in making excuses. It’s a case of, yes, I thought and acted that way, most likely because of how my brain is wired.”
Reflecting on his time on The Great British Bake Off, Whaite expressed that he wishes he had known about his diagnosis during the competition. He believes that awareness of his ADHD may have helped him to be less reactive and argumentative. Whaite recalled a moment when judge Paul Hollywood criticized his puddings and how he reacted, saying, “One day when Paul Hollywood said my puddings were bland because I had used mascarpone rather than butter, I marched across the field and was like, ‘How dare you call my puddings…'”
ADHD is a condition that affects behavior, causing restlessness, trouble concentrating, and impulsive actions. According to the NHS, people with ADHD may struggle with these symptoms.
In the interview, Whaite also revealed that he developed strong feelings for his professional dance partner, Johannes Radebe, during their time on Strictly Come Dancing. He implied that there was love between them, despite not being able to speak openly about it.
Whaite also discussed his journey to sobriety, admitting that he was a “problematic drinker” who would regularly binge drink and engage in late-night conversations with strangers on social media. He described himself as an addictive person and mentioned that he has recently embraced a sober lifestyle.
Whaite’s memoir, Dancing on Eggshells: Kitchen, Ballroom, and the Messy Inbetween, is set to be released on August 24th. In the book, he shares his experiences and challenges with ADHD, his time on Strictly Come Dancing, and his path to sobriety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, you can contact the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website for information on available programs.
Overall, Whaite’s ADHD diagnosis has provided him with a new perspective on his past actions and behaviors. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can bring awareness to ADHD and help others who may be going through similar experiences.
