CORONATION Street star Jamie Kenna has revealed he suffered a breakdown after having a panic attack while swimming.
The soap actor bravely opened up about his mental health struggle after suffering his first ever panic attack in the sea.
Jamie plays Phill on the ITV soap
The actor has opened up about his mental health struggle
Jamie, 46, is best known for playing Fiz Stape’s rejected husband Phill Whittaker, after joining the set of Corrie last summer.
The actor, who suffered a break-down eight years ago, is hoping to use his telly fame to help others open up about their mental health.
Jamie opened up by revealing that he had his first panic attack in 2011 after getting into trouble swimming in the sea.
Trying to navigate the rough waves, the star said he was in the “middle of the ocean” and swallowed a lot of water as he panicked.
He told the Mirror of the horrifying moment: “It was December, I was out in the Channel and the sea was too big and freezing cold and I went too far out.
“I had my first panic attack but I happened to have it in the middle of the ocean. I was about 200m out and it was a very exposing moment.
“I suddenly became aware of my own mortality and that triggered a lot of anxiety, panic attacks and depression.”
Jamie tried to initially hide his mental health struggle, but suffered a breakdown in 2014 while appearing in London stage show War Horse.
“I was completely melting down and knew something was wrong,” he said of the breakdown. “I thought it was my heart or my brain.”
Jamie went on to have a variety of different therapies to help him cope with his anxiety, which he still suffers from.
The actor made his debut to Coronation Street’s cobbles last year as single fella Phill, who instantly fell for local Fiz Stape.
Fiz, played by Jennie McAlpine, tied the knot with the newcomer last week, before revealing she thought the marriage was a mistake.
She had gone back to her ex Tyronne Dobbs, who is portrayed by long-running Corrie star Alan Halsall.
Earlier this month, Jamie sparked rumours he had QUIT the ITV soap after he posted on Instagram about a new acting job.
Jamie revealed he has landed a job at Crewe Lyceum – performing in a panto over the Christmas season.
