Former Great British Bake Off champion John Whaite has shared an emotional and devastating confession about his secret five-year struggle with an illegal anabolic steroid addiction, revealing the profound toll it took on his mental health and personal life.
The Emotional Confession
The 36-year-old star, who won Bake Off in 2012 and later reached the Strictly Come Dancing final in 2021, posted a tearful video on Instagram in November 2025. He directly addressed his steroid use, stating it had made him want to end his life. In a powerful caption titled 'Steroid addiction – the truth', Whaite wrote: 'For the past 5 years I’ve let myself down, I haven’t respected my body or my mind.'
He expressed deep regret for prioritising body image over his wellbeing and time with family. His message concluded with a firm resolution: 'That stops today. Right now. I choose life. I choose health. I choose love.'
The Descent into Addiction
In his raw video testimony, Whaite explained that his addiction began during the lockdown period. Struggling with pre-existing body dysmorphia and bulimia, he looked in the mirror and 'hated' what he saw. Despite rigorous workout regimes and strict diets, he felt unable to gain muscle or lose fat.
'Looking back, there was nothing wrong with me. I had a normal body,' he reflected sadly. The initial aesthetic results from the steroids, however, were rapid. He admitted this change in physique led to more television work, including his role on Strictly Come Dancing, where producers gave him the codename 'Hercules'.
'The more that people acknowledged how I looked on steroids, the more I felt good about myself,' he confessed, highlighting how external validation fuelled his dangerous habit.
Physical and Mental Consequences
Whaite did not shy away from detailing the severe physical and psychological side effects he endured. These included shrunken testicles and a completely unregulated sex drive. He believes his decision to join the adult subscription platform OnlyFans was heavily influenced by the 'horniness' and 'inflated ego' the steroids caused.
He now faces the daunting process of withdrawal, anticipating crashing hormone levels and very low moods. Despite this, he has taken full responsibility for his actions, stating, 'I’m not being a victim here. I’m a man and I have to deal with the consequences of my actions.' For now, he is avoiding his GP as he does not want to feel like a 'burden on the NHS'.
A Warning to Others
John Whaite's primary motivation for speaking out is to serve as a cautionary tale. He specifically mentioned his worry for his 15-year-old nephew and other young men growing up in an era of 'unrealistic physiques' on platforms like Instagram.
His final plea was stark and heartfelt: 'It will ruin everything, believe me. It will take more than it gives you. You’ve only got one body so please just respect it.'
According to the NHS, anabolic steroids are prescription-only Class C drugs that mimic testosterone. When used without medical supervision to build muscle, they can cause serious side effects and addiction.
