Gogglebox star Chris Ashby-Steed reveals he was suicidal after bitter feud with on-screen partner Stephen Webb
GOGGLEBOX star Chris Ashby-Steed has opened up about his bitter feud with former on-screen partner Stephen Webb – admitting that their fallout left him feeling suicidal.
Chris and Stephen signed up to the show in 2013 and appeared on the sofa together from the very first series, however, fans were shocked when Stephen’s mum Pat replaced Chris in series 11 last year.
Now 42-year-old Chris has shared his side of the story – with he and Stephen initially a couple but remaining friends and agreeing to do the show together after their split.
Speaking to The Mirror, the hairdresser has revealed that he has suffered from severe depression since falling out with his friend, telling the publication: “There have been times where I’ve felt so low that I think, ‘How can I kill myself?’”
He went on to reveal that the pair were originally set to leave Gogglebox together after a production company approached them for a separate venture.
However, Chris was left in the lurch when Stephen emailed the studio to terminate the production without consulting his co-star.
Chris continued: “After he sent that email I didn’t speak to him for a little while because I was hurt by it.”
He then recalled telling 46-year-old Stephen “I get the impression that I think a lot more of you than you do of me” – and was shocked when the TV star told him that he was “probably right”.
Chris went on to claim that Stephen would regularly put him down with snide remarks.
The telly favourite said that Gogglebox producers agreed to let both men appear with new partners on alternate weeks of the show, which is when Stephen drafted in his mum.
However, bosses weren’t happy with Chris’ suggestion for his new partner and told him that it “wasn’t going to work”, and he announced his departure from the show in February last year.
Opening up about how the entire incident affected his mental health, Chris shared: “I’ve felt like a failure, I’ve been depressed, I struggle in social situations, I’m agoraphobic.
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“I’m worried about people coming up to me and asking why I left the show.
“I felt I couldn’t tell the truth. I avoid going out now. I’ve been seeing a counsellor every week.”
Chris’ husband Tony also told the publication that his partner has spoken to him about ending his life since leaving the show – with a spokesperson for Gogglebox insisisting that “the duty of care of the Gogglebox contributors is of paramount importance.”
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