Adam Collard reveals he was ‘addicted to painkillers’ and suffers with ‘depression’ as he details ‘hardest year of my life’ ahead of welcoming first child with Laura Woods

Adam Collard has admitted he was ‘addicted to painkillers’ and suffered from ‘depression’, as he candidly opened up on Instagram on Friday.

The former Love Island star, who is expecting his first child with fiancée Laura Woods, revealed he has had the ‘hardest year of my life’.

Adam explained how he felt ‘lost’ as he ‘struggled with his mental health’ and started taking painkillers and sleeping pills.

He wrote: ‘2024, the hardest year of my life. I’ve seen a lot of great posts about 2024 over the past few days… but if you’re struggling right now, remember that Instagram is a highlight, and if you’re struggling, you’re not alone.

‘This year was tough, tougher than all previous years. I was struggling with my mental health more than ever. Lost something important. Struggled with injuries.

‘Suffered from an addiction to painkillers and sleeping pills and justified this as ‘it doesn’t affect the condition’ or because it wasn’t a drink.

‘I was diagnosed with depression. Prescribed antidepressants. Lost family. Drifted away from certain friends. Tried to reach people but failed. I felt lost.’

He continued, “But with all these things, 2024 was also the best year of my life. Remember that you are always strong enough to reframe things and change the outcome.

‘2024 was also the year I started therapy and overcame the fear of it. Traveled with people I love. I understood myself better and started to like myself more.

‘Thinking about things I’m proud of. Developed stronger friendships. Made up with lost family. Suggested. Signed new contracts with brands I love. Went back to television.

“I got rid of people who held me back. Built a bigger company. I discovered that I wanted to become a father, the highlight. I felt more love than ever.’

He concluded, “It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. But if you feel like you’re losing everything, remember that trees lose their leaves every year and they still stand tall waiting for better days. Stay strong x’

Several of Adam’s fans and close celebrity friends quickly took to the comments to send their love to the fitness influencer.

Laura said: ‘Proud of you. You’re going to be the most amazing dad x’

Wes Nelson wrote: ‘What a man. Love you brother,” while Laura Anderson added: “Amazing Adam. All my love’.

Ashley James wrote: ‘You’re helping so many men by saying this. I’m glad you’re on the right track.’

Adam and TNT Sports presenter Laura, 37, have been together since October 2023 and announced last year that they are expecting a child, while wedding plans are also in the works.

It comes after the couple, who recently trained together, announced their engagement in September when ADam fell to one knee on St Ives beach.

Alongside photos of the special moment, Laura wrote: ‘And just like that… You make me happy. Thank you @carbisbayestate – the place we fell in love and now the place we got engaged, you made it so special. What a summer x.’

Adam shared his own photo gallery from the proposal and said Laura is his “whole world.”

In the subtitles of the series of recordings he wrote: ‘a story from Tulum…’

He wrote: ‘From dates and daiquiris to a fiancé and a sprog on the way, our own little team. My whole world. Always. @carbisbayestate where it all really started, the only place to do it x’

Celebrity friends of the couple, including Manchester City footballer Jack Grealish, Piers Morgan and Love Island’s Chloe Burrows, rushed to the comments to congratulate the couple.

In the snap, Laura held her hands to her face in shock as Adam proposed on the beach before the pair were seen cuddling in another photo.

Laura couldn’t contain her smile as she cozy up to her new fiancé while flashing her dazzling engagement ring for the camera.

The exciting news comes after Laura made her surprise pregnancy announcement by sharing her first glamorous photos on her Instagram.

Underneath the trio of photos, Laura wrote: ‘Entering the mummy era thanks to my love @makeupwithjourdan for making me feel like myself again! Join @eurosport 1 and @discoveryplusuk tonight at 9pm for all the Olympic chat you need in your life.’

Laura took to Instagram to share her happy news with her more than 700,000 followers. Laura posted a photo of her French bulldog and a sonogram that she and Adam were holding and wrote in the caption, “Hey honey.”

Adam and Laura went public with their romance in October 2023, after the sports presenter ‘accidentally’ posted a slew of later-deleted loved-up snaps.

Last year, Adam wished his girlfriend a happy birthday with a gushing message and a sweet album of photos.

The Love Island star shared a series of adorable black and white photos on his social media to celebrate Laura turning 37.

Laura, who played a key role in ITV’s coverage of Euro 2024, looked happier than ever as she beamed into the camera.

Adam, who starred on Love Island in 2018 and 2022, also appeared on Celebs Go Dating last year, but he met Laura by cheekily sliding into her DMs.

The reality TV Lothario proved the couple’s relationship has since blossomed when he called Laura a ‘rockstar’ with an adorable post on her birthday.

The reality star opened up about how the couple met while appearing on an episode of the Getting Lippy Gossip Show in December.

He said: ‘I followed her on Instagram because I saw a Lionesses game or something like that and then I sent her a DM because she posted a funny meme on her story.

“I’ll hold my hands up, yes I acknowledge that, even though she’s talked about this many times in my life.”

That same month, Adam told OnlyAccounts.com: “I’m protective, whether it’s Laura, or my family, my friends. I want to get married. I also want to have children. I always thought: what kind of person will I be? How can I protect my children?

‘Obviously I’ve never had a child, but I don’t think I’m going to plaster it all over [social media]. I want them to get a fair fight and not be judged right away.

‘As long as those close to me know exactly who I am, it doesn’t matter to me. I think you have to take everything with a grain of salt.’

Adam added that he isn’t worried about the eight age gap between himself and Laura, saying: ‘We’re not necessarily your average everyday couple.

Since going public, the couple have not held back from giving insight into their romance, with both posting photos of each other on Instagram.

The couple took a luxury holiday to Mexico in March after going skiing in the French Alps with a group of friends in February.

Adam shared a slew of loved-up photos with his girlfriend from their romantic trip to Tulum, Mexico.

The Love Island star and the sports presenter looked utterly smitten with each other in the sun-kissed shots.

One photo showed a shirtless Adam planting a kiss on a bare-faced Laura as they lounged on the beach.

In the subtitles of the series of recordings he wrote: ‘a story from Tulum…’

If you have been affected by this story, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org