The Scottish singer said it was ‘maybe the most important day in my life’ as it forced him to seek help for his mental health struggles
Lewis Capaldi during his emotional Glastonbury performance in 2023(Image: Getty Images)
Lewis Capaldi previously addressed how his heartbreaking Glastonbury gig was ‘ probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me’ as it sought him to seek help for his mental health issues.
The 29 year old singer, who is performing on Strictly Come Dancing ‘s Blackpool special tonight (Sunday, November 23), had previously stepped back from performing after struggling on stage at the festival in 2023.
He struggled to sing his hit songs as he performed to tens of thousands of fans. He heartbreakingly apologised as those in the crowd supported him by singing along to help him finish his final song, Someone You Loved.
Lewis, who has now been back performing for six months, revealed he had been diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome in 2022, and also struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.
Read more Lewis Capaldi addresses tough mental health battle as he says ‘lowest I’ve felt in my life’
Speaking candidly on This Past Weekend podcast with Theo Von, Lewis previously opened up on the experience and said it was a life changing moment.
He said: “A few weeks prior to that show we were playing in Chicago and I had a very similar episode – it was probably even worse.
“I couldn’t come back and finish a song. I was backstage convulsing and having this crazy panic attack and mental episode. Way worse than what happened at Glastonbury.”
He added: “Because Glastonbury is such a big stage, it was the first time people outside my shows had seen it.
“At Glastonbury, when I came off stage it was weird, I had this (feeling) ‘everything’s alright now, I can actually go and get help and fix myself for the next two years.’
“In a weird way, it’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I wouldn’t have stopped otherwise.
“Glastonbury 2023 was, for sure, really important – maybe the most important day in my life.”
Lewis also revealed on the podcast how important therapy has been – saying it was the ‘biggest thing that switched everything around’.
He continued: “When I came off stage at Glastonbury, a therapist was the first thing I needed.
“My current therapist can sense when I’m being avoidant – he pulls me back in and says there’s a reason I’m being wishy washy here.
“I cancelled two sessions back to back and he was on it saying, ‘we don’t have to do this, but it feels like you’re not engaging in a way that’s beneficial for you, you’re wasting my time’.
“I really responded to him not letting me away with s****.”
Lewis also claimed that swapping antidepressants for the anti-psychotic medication Aripiprazole, has “changed his life.”
He added: “It was really scary when they said anti psychotic – I was like I’m not psychotic. My anxiety levels are so low these days.”
