TV’s Dr Alex George on how giving up booze has changed his life as he fronts a major mental health campaign
SHELLEY SPADONI
Dr Alex George has had an incredible journey since we first saw him slapping on the factor 50 on Love Island in 2018. Since then, the softly spoken Welshman, 33, has become one of the country’s best-loved ambassadors for mental health, appearing on TV almost daily during the pandemic – while working as an A&E doctor – to help update the nation.
Here, Alex, who has been the UK Government’s Youth Mental Health Ambassador since 2021, opens up on how his experiences in life have changed him, including the tragic death of his younger brother Llyr in 2020.
He also reveals how impressed he was when he met the Prince and Princess of Wales – and tells us about the secrets behind his stunning lifestyle transformation since quitting booze, which saw him lose almost 7st in weight…
Hi, Alex! You’re looking great…
I gave up alcohol and have lost almost 7st! I’ve never been fitter or happier. But I never calorie-counted. My focus was, I wanted to fuel my body, move it more and be kind to body and mind. It was a lifestyle change for me, never a diet. I want to live as long and happy a life as I can. I love my mornings now, walking. I still socialise but I don’t need to drink to do it. It’s the people and the laughter I enjoy, not the liquid. If anyone doesn’t get that, maybe they’re not your people.
You gave up alcohol in 2022 – why?
It’s been a difficult few years. I worked through the pandemic and saw some unspeakable things. I came out of it pretty burnt out – then my brother died by suicide, something none us in the family was expecting. It was one knock after the other. All that pressure weighed heavily, and without realising it, I was using alcohol to manage my ADHD, which I’d probably been doing for a long time. I was eating huge amounts, not exercising – everything came to a head. But stopping drinking is the best thing I’ve ever done.
As a former A&E doctor in the pandemic, have you seen ITV’s Breathtaking?
I haven’t. I worked in Lewisham Hospital and we were absolutely hammered by Covid. It was very difficult. We intubated our own colleagues – as in, put them in comas. We lost colleagues. I saw horrific things, but also the best of humanity.
