Tom Kerridge, who once drank “pints of Negroni” and tipped the scales at nearly 30 stone, has opened up on a new health diagnosis, but it’s one he can apparently turn to his advantage
Tom once confessed that drinking served as an “escape” (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Tom Kerridge has spoken out about a recent health diagnosis after overcoming his alcohol addiction. Although he’s now teetotal, Tom once lived a very different life – drinking lager in the shower, enjoying “pints of Negroni”, and tipping the scales at nearly 30 stone.
As a hardworking chef, he once confessed that drinking served as an “escape” from the intense pressure working in the industry brings, but he eventually managed to quit and shed a remarkable 12 stone over five years.
In a recent interview, Tom addressed a new health diagnosis he has received. This new health issue is apparently one he can turn to his advantage.
Tom was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but considers it a “superpower”, as The Times‘ Andrew Billen puts it, with Tom saying it lets him “work on many different levels, constantly, all the time”.
The Great British Menu star was asked if he thought the condition was related to his drinking in any way, to which he replied: “I loved the chaos of drinking but you’re kind of right.
“Alcohol addiction comes from an incredibly selfish place. It’s the one space where you escape into your own world. There isn’t anything else that’s happening. You’re the only person who knows how you feel at that exact moment.”
ADHD is a condition where the “brain works differently to most people”, the NHS writes in its description, one that’s characterised by issues with concentration and sitting still.
Symptoms typically relate to three categories: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. They include finding yourself easily distracted, struggling with time organisation and following instructions, and losing things.
Other symptoms include high energy levels and restlessness, being highly talkative or cutting into conversations, and making rapid decisions without thinking about the potential consequences.
Speaking previously to the Comfort Eating podcast with Grace Dent, Tom disclosed the staggering quantity of alcohol he used to consume on an average night out.
He said: “I would start off with two pints of Negroni – like, I would drink pints of Negroni to start, yeah. To start, yeah. And that’s just the start; then we’re on the lagers.
“You do six pints of lager as you’re quick finishing at the pub, cleaning down and then go out. And then it would be… Grace, I really don’t know, but it could easily be…”
Tom continued: “On a big night out, it would probably be 20 pints of lager, two pints of Negroni and a pint of gin.”
Opening up about his healthier lifestyle on The Andy Jaye Podcast in 2021, Tom noted that he made “massive” changes, stopped drinking, and “stopped trying to be a massive idiot”.
You can learn more about ADHD on the NHS website.
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