The Channel 4 show had a therapist on hand for the star whilst filming, he shared
Andrew Nuttall U35 Lifestyle Writer
10:42, 04 Dec 2025
The Inbetweeners is said to be making a TV return in 2026(Image: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
The Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas has opened up about an ongoing ‘invisible’ health issue that he says made him feel “completely insane” at times. It got to a point where the star had a therapist on hand to help “pull his head together”.
The actor skyrocketed to fame as part of the iconic group of TV teens after appearing on The Inbetweeners. Joe starred in the show, which went on to be developed into two films, alongside fellow co-stars Simon Bird, James Buckley and Blake Harrison.
Fans of the show, which ended in 2010, were buzzing with excitement over the news of a possible reunion in 2026. Now 41, the actor has spoken about his struggles that went on behind the scenes as the hit show was made.
Talking with co-star James Buckley on their podcast, Joe And James Fact Up, the pair acknowledged the “immense pressure” they put on themselves to stay funny – even when they weren’t speaking. Joe said: “There was loads of pressure. I felt tonnes of pressure. I also just had crippling OCD and I kept thinking I’d f***** up the continuity.”
The dad-of-one described his condition as “genuinely astonishing”, claiming he’d feel guilt over things outside of his control. He talked about apologising for fixating on minor sounds he believed had ruined a shot.
He added: “I had it when I left university, and when I was on The Inbetweeners, it was really, really bad to the extent where they paid for a therapist to come on set. Also, it wasn’t discussed that much at the time, so it was just like ‘I’m completely insane’ and I need to deal with this privately in these little nine-second breaks that I was asking for and somehow pull my head together.”
He went on to praise the show’s creator Ian Morris, who noticed that the then 25-year-old was showing one of the subtle signs of OCD – aggressive blinking. In some cases, people become hyper-aware of automatic bodily functions like blinking, breathing, or swallowing.
This hyper-awareness can lead to obsessive thoughts about the blinking, triggering compulsive behaviours aimed at controlling or getting relief from the sensation. Joe said: “There were times I was just annoyed we were making the show. I just wanted to get back to my own private worries.”
Joe Thomas played Simon Cooper on The Inbetweeners(Image: 2014 Don Arnold/WireImage via Getty)
Many people have rushed to praise Joe for being so open about his mental health battles. In the comment section of the episode on YouTube, one viewer wrote: “Fair play to Joe for discussing his struggles while filming The Inbetweeners. Massive amount of respect lad.”
Another put: “Joe’s experiences filming the show are really relatable. It’s reassuring to know that someone you admire has gone through similar struggles!” A third said: “Thanks Joe for opening up
What is Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
According to the NHS, OCD is a mental health condition where a person has “obsessive thoughts” and “compulsive behaviours”. It can affect men, women and children, with symptoms showing from as early as six years old, but it often begins around puberty and early adulthood.
Obsessions stem from an urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety. A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to relieve the feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.
Women can sometimes have OCD during pregnancy or after their baby is born. If you keep getting these thoughts, and they have an effect on your daily life, speak to your GP or health visitor, as they can support you or refer you to a specialist mental health team if you need it.
There are some effective treatments for OCD that can help reduce the impact it has on your life. For more detailed information, go to the NHS website here.
