Cold Feet's John Thompson, 57, reveals ADHD diagnosis and says he was left 'horrified' when he was given SPEED in medication mix-up

John Thompson has revealed he has been diagnosed with ADHD as he opened up on the 'horrifying' side effects following a medication mix-up.

The Cold Feet star opened up to comedian Paul Whitehouse and his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir, who specialises in neuroscience, on the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person's ability to regulate attention, impulses, and energy levels.

Explaining the moment he realised he had ADHD, John, 57, said he was chatting to actress Siobhan Finneran who turned to him and said "Oh, love, you heard us two."

He replied "I know, what we like?", to which she said "I get on me own nerves."

After the realisation, John said "Oh my God, that’s, that’s it. I say that every day. That sums it up. Jesus, yeah, man. And I, and I do, I get on me own nerves."

After trying ADHD medication Elvanse, John quickly understood it wasn't the right fit after suffering frightening side effects. 

He said: 'When I tried the Elvanse medication, I was horrified to learn it was a amphetamine. I thought Hang on, I’m in recovery. Why would you give me speed?

'I did it for a week – I don’t know how long the titration period is for it but some people said they took one and that evening it changed their lives. 

'And I was like, "My god it’s got to be worth a try’ well it wasn’t – it was awful."'

He added: 'I started to feel really edgy, like a bit kind of prickly. And I was so gutted that the, all the three people I know had took it and went, chatter gone. I feel like they’d had a spliff.'

John said his mum noticed he had early signs of ADHD in his childhood, describing him as 'dervish and wild during the daytime'.  

'But then at school I was starting to get into trouble a lot', John added.

Back in 2021, John marked 15 years sober and declared he is much 'happier and healthier'. 

Taking to Twitter John shared a celebratory photo as he held up a number '15' badge to proudly announce his incredible achievement to his followers.

The comedian smiled for the photo as he excitedly penned: 'Well who’d have thought! I’d have made it ! 15 years sober.

'Still stand by the fact , it has been the greatest life changing decision I’ve ever made. Happier healthier and wiser. Genuinely proud of this achievement, so couldn’t let it go unsaid.'

John's life spiraled into problems with alcohol and drugs and his career nosedived as a result of his well-documented hedonistic lifestyle.  

He fell out of favour with casting directors and the calibre of parts he was being offered paled in comparison to his Cold Feet co-stars.

Despite turning his life around in 2006, when he accepted he was an alcoholic, he had to rely on voiceover roles and parts in pantomimes, some of which paid just £50 a night.

Then, in 2015, his 10-year marriage to his former best friend, Samantha, ended in divorce, plunging him deeper into depression.

In a candid interview with Radio Times in 2017, he admitted he considered suicide after his acting work dried up.  

However, he said that he could never go through with it because of his children, and that there was ‘something in me’ that told him he had too much to lose.

Asked whether he had ever contemplated suicide during his lowest ebbs, the comedian and actor told Radio Times: ‘There’s a force in me that won’t allow me to go that low. Too much to lose. 

‘Maybe before children, possibly, but not now. Not now. You contemplate. I’ve had thoughts.

‘I’ve had dark thoughts, but never considered carrying them out. I could mentally toy with the idea of it and how to do it, but not carry it out, because I’ve got something in me, call it spirit, a guardian angel.’

If you need help with a drinking problem, call Alcoholics Anonymous free on 0800 9177 650 or email [email protected]