Former Corrie star Ian Puleston-Davies reveals debilitating OCD disorder which he has battled since the age of seven and leaves him fearing he’s been poisoned on a daily basis
Former Corrie star Ian Puleston-Davies reveals a debilitating OCD disorder he has suffered since he was seven and which has left him fearing he is being poisoned on a daily basis
Former Corrie star Ian Puleston-Davies has spoken about his debilitating battle with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
The 65-year-old actor, who played Owen Armstrong in the soap from 2010 to 2015, described the disease, which he has suffered since he was seven, as “catastrophic” and said the fear of poisoning was a “common thought”.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a common mental health condition that causes people to become obsessed with thoughts and develop behaviors that they find difficult to control.
He told The mirror: ‘My thoughts mainly have to do with contamination or fear of harm to myself or others. If I notice a stain, my unwanted thought will tell me that the stain is poisonous and dangerous, and that something terrible will happen if I or my children touch the stain.”
Ian, whose directorial debut Bolan’s Shoes was released last week, revealed how he was coping with his illness on the set of the soap and said his castmates have been nothing but supportive.
Candid: Former Corrie star Ian Puleston-Davies, 65, has spoken about his debilitating battle with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Illness: The six-year-old actor who played Owen Armstrong in the soap from 2010 to 2015 (pictured) described the illness he has suffered since he was seven as ‘catastrophic’ and said the fear of being poisoned was a ‘common thought’
Telling the publication, “I remember Anthony Cotton, who plays Sean (Tully), who would be behind the bar in the Rovers Return, was very good for one scene, saying: ‘I checked the glasses, Ian. There are no chips”.
Despite suffering from symptoms from the age of seven, Ian was not diagnosed until he was 35. He admitted that he had learned how to “hide” his illness.
‘It’s known as the secret disorder because people are ashamed of it. And that’s the problem. People don’t go to the doctor or tell their loved ones because they’re afraid of being ridiculed.’
He previously wrote about his illness in the 2004 ITV drama Dirty Filthy Love, which starred Michael Sheen as OCD sufferer Mark.
Ian was joined by his former Coronation Street co-stars for the premiere of his new film Bolan’s Shoes in Manchester on Saturday.
Katie McGlynn, 29, who left the soap in 2019, opted for smart navy trousers and a cropped jacket for the event.
Katie wore the ensemble without a shirt, revealing a hint of a lace bralette.
She showed off a glimpse of her toned midriff in the striking blue ensemble and complemented her look with a pair of black and silver stilettos.
Honest: He said, ‘My thoughts are mainly concerned with contamination or fear of harm to myself or others. If I see a stain, my unwanted thought will tell me that it is poisonous and dangerous’
Help: Ian, whose directorial debut Bolan’s Shoes was released last week, revealed how he coped with his illness on the set of the soap and said his castmates were nothing but supportive (pictured with co-star Debbie Rush)
Drama: He previously wrote about his illness in the 2004 ITV drama Dirty Filthy Love, which starred Michael Sheen as OCD sufferer Mark (pictured)
The blonde beauty posed with a black clutch and showed off a fresh white mani and an array of gold rings.
T-Rex’s frontman Marc Bolan was tragically killed in a car accident and the film explores the aftermath of that heartbreak.
The new film comes from the creative team behind Dirty Filthy Love and features music by glam rock band T. Rex.
Although not a documentary about the band, the film is set at the height of T. Rex mania in 1970s Liverpool – and touches on parts of their story.
This year marks the 46th anniversary of Mark’s death and would have been his 76th birthday.