EXC: Adam Collard details mental health struggles as he takes on ‘a threesome like no other’

Adam Collard opened up about his mental health issues and the real reason why he’s been a ‘d**k’ in a new interview with MailOnline.

The Love Island star, 27, discussed ‘not acknowledging’ his grandmother’s death because she was ‘too immature’ after leaving the ITV2 show in 2018.

He is now taking on three IRONMAN triathlons to raise money for Marie Curie – a charity close to his heart.

In an exclusive interview, Adam explained, “When I was younger I didn’t really understand mental health, but as I got older and especially after the second Love Island I thought I was definitely not as good as usual.

“I started running to get some headroom and time to myself. Running became my refuge.’

Struggle: The Love Island star, 27, discussed ‘not acknowledging’ his grandmother’s death because she was ‘too immature’ after leaving the ITV2 show in 2018

Adam continued, “She died the year I first got off Love Island, I didn’t have time to process it.

“This is the first time I’ve processed it because I haven’t actually acknowledged it. The first time I got mad about it was in 2022 when I was running and opening up to myself, and that’s how it all spiraled into this crazy challenge.”

“It sounds really bad but being so busy and only 21 and probably a bit ad**k to be honest and immature I was distracted in the best possible way as I had to focus on myself.

“Now that I’m older and have a chance to think more, get older and maybe settle down, she’s not going to see the things you want her to see.”

While gushing about his late grandmother, he said, “She was absolutely amazing, I was the closest thing to her.” She was the glue that held everyone together.

“When she was sick, she pretended to be okay and was the soul and heart of the party. It’s the only person I’ve lost close to me, I’m probably very lucky that way. I went to see Marie Curie last week and it’s sentimental, as soon as I got their room I remembered her room.’

Adam now embarks on the biggest challenge of his career, in a move that will see him give up reality TV.

The fitness buff, who is currently single, previously made not one, but two appearances on Love Island, as he became the first former islander to return as a bombshell during last year’s series.

In an exclusive interview, Adam explained: ‘When I was younger I didn’t really understand mental health, but as I got older and especially after the second Love Island I thought I was definitely not as good as normal’

Tough challenge: He is now taking on three IRONMAN triathlons to raise money for Marie Curie – a charity close to his heart

He admitted, “I’m not going to lie, I think I’ve done well with my time on reality TV, I’m not sure I would do it again.”

The star will take on three grueling IRONMAN events over five weeks over the summer, which he described as “a trio like no other.”

An IRONMAN triathlon is often regarded as one of the toughest endurance events out there and consists of a 3.8 km swim, 180.2 km bike and 42.2 km run.

The IRONMAN 70.3 events follow the same format, but half the distance in each discipline.

Adam explained, “I want to do it for something bigger than me, which is to raise money for Marie Curie hospices, who took exceptionally good care of my grandmother when she was in the last few months of her life. .

“I will be using IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire in preparation for IRONMAN UK, to practice my nutrition and get used to the racing atmosphere. IRONMAN UK will be the ultimate test and the IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea, just two weeks later, will complete my toughest challenge yet.”

Adam revealed that he fell into his current career and originally studied for something completely different.

He said, ‘I wanted to be an architect, believe it or not. The goal was always to get good grades, but by accident I ended up in personal training. That’s why I love it and never feel like I’m working.’

Despite being in his best shape while training for his challenge, fitness expert Adam admitted that he has received negative comments about his appearance.

Speaking of hate online, Adam said: “The only thing that bothered me was getting some comments about me not being in shape six months after my appearance on Love Island compared to when I was on the show, and that did bother me.”

Speaking of hate online, Adam said: “The only thing that bothered me was I got a few comments that I was out of shape six months after I appeared on Love Island compared to when I was on the show, and that bothered me .

‘I performed in nightclubs, of course that was going to happen, I lived outside gas stations.

“I would say 1 in 100 bothers us and it will be very specific, like if someone says something about my family.”

Adam also revealed that he is opening a new gym in Ashington, Newcastle, to help more people in his local community with health and fitness.

For more information and to register for any of the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events in the UK and Ireland, visit: https://www.ironman.com/races