The Only Way is Essex star Tommy Mallett has been praised after he opened up about his work-related anxiety in Sunday's (September 2) episode.
Viewers caught up with the Essex gang as they holidayed in Sardinia. After Mallett's girlfriend Georgia Kousoulou chided him for replying to work emails on holiday, Tommy opened up about a time when he felt he couldn't cope with work-related stress.
He said: "Every time I wasn't in my office, I was getting separation anxiety. I've worked hard to get the place I've got to… I was working 19-hour days for three years and thought I could handle it."
The pressure got so much that Tommy revealed there was a period when he "just sat there and looked at a wall".
"I couldn't leave the house," he added. "I know it was only a few days, but still. It was scary."
Tommy decided that he would do his best to prevent others going through what he did, and advised newcomer Sam Mucklow to switch off from work after he revealed that he also suffers from work-related stress.
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Fans have been vocal in their support for Tommy over Twitter, and have stressed how important it is to have open conversations about mental health.
One fan wrote: "My heart went out to @tommymallett, so many people suffer in silence. Always talk don't bottle it all up. Bless him."
Another tweeted Mallett saying the footage was "the most raw and real thing I've seen on TV for a long time".
"It comes to us all at some point in life, not talking about it is the worst thing anyone can do. What a top bloke!"
Tommy posted on Instagram after the show saying that the decision to talk about his anxiety on TOWIE was one of the "best things" that's happened to him.
"Tonight was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done," he wrote. "But if I help one person mission complete! Don't hold it in! Talk to someone, even if you don't know them, or your GP."
The Only Way is Essex airs on Sundays and Wednesdays on ITVBe.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774 (www.anxietyuk.org.uk) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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