On Wednesday’s special episode of *Loose Men*, Jordan Banjo bravely shared the struggles he faced during the pandemic with alcohol, 

shedding light on a personal battle that he had kept hidden for some time.

The 32-year-old dancer, choreographer, and TV personality joined an all-male panel that included TV host Craig Doyle, pop singer Danny Jones,

and former *TOWIE* star Pete Wicks, discussing a variety of topics including mental health, relationships, and personal challenges.

During a candid moment, Jordan revealed the toll alcohol had taken on his life, offering an honest reflection on how it affected his marriage and family life.

Since its debut in 2020, *Loose Men* has been a rare opportunity for male voices to take the spotlight on the ITV talk show.

While originally aired in celebration of International Men’s Day, the special all-male episodes have returned sporadically, featuring different male guest hosts and panelists each time.

This latest installment saw the panel dive into some thought-provoking conversations, and it was during this segment that Jordan Banjo chose to open up about his struggles with alcohol.

Jordan began by explaining that his relationship with drinking started during the COVID-19 lockdown. “When we went into lockdown, I started drinking and it became a daily thing,” he shared.

“Once it becomes a habit, it’s a hard thing to break.” Reflecting on his mindset at the time, he confessed that he was surprised by how quickly alcohol began to take over his life.

He noted that it started innocently, saying, “I was 28 in lockdown, and it was like I was 16 or 17 again. It was like, ‘Hang on a minute. I can just drink this and feel drunk and a bit merry!’”

As the months went by, Jordan’s drinking spiraled, and it became a constant part of his routine. He admitted to hiding his behavior from his wife, Naomi Courts, an influencer.

“I started secretly drinking and would hide it from my wife. I’d take my plate out to the kitchen during dinner and top up my drink, hoping she wouldn’t catch me,” he explained. Jordan went further to reveal that, to cover up his habit, he would even spend nights in a spare room to avoid waking her up.

“I’d say to my wife, ‘I’ll stay in the spare room so I don’t wake you up.’ And I’d be in there having drinks.”

As his relationship with alcohol grew, Jordan found himself reaching for a drink at almost any time of the day. He recalled moments of sitting in bed late at night, drinking alone, and using his iPad to distract himself. “I was like, ‘What am I doing?’ I’d be sitting there at half-eight at night, on my own, drinking,” he said.

This behavior began to impact his family life, and Jordan eventually realized that alcohol was taking a toll on his relationship and his ability to parent effectively.

It wasn’t until he began preparing for an ITV show, *The Real Full Monty*, that Jordan truly recognized the severity of his problem.

“I noticed a difference in my relationship and parenting as I was just vacant,” he admitted. When it came time for the filming, he was shocked at the state he was in.

“I walked in about five stone heavier than I am now,” he recalled. “I was trying to dance and rehearse, and Pete was better than me.

I was in rough shape.” Even during the filming, he would step away to have a drink, further illustrating the extent of his addiction.

Jordan’s journey to sobriety was not an easy one, but he made the courageous decision to stop drinking cold turkey in November 2023. He emphasized that this was a turning point for him, both physically and mentally.

He now speaks about his battle openly, wanting to raise awareness about the struggles many people face in silence.

His decision to share his experience on *Loose Men* is a reminder of the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and it encourages others to seek help when needed.

Jordan’s story is a testament to resilience, and his openness about his struggles serves as a powerful message for those facing similar challenges.

By speaking out, he hopes to inspire others to acknowledge their own battles and to know that recovery is possible.