LIFE

Dani Dyer opens up about her mental health issues in new TV show

Last modified on Friday 14 April 2023

Former Love Islander Dani Dyer has made a documentary for Channel 4 talking about her anxiety, and the struggles she's had with loneliness as a young mum

Dani Dyer has opened up about her struggles with anxiety, and how they escalated when she became a mum.

In a searingly honest and raw documentary, which will air on Channel 4, the 26 year old will share how she felt lonely and under enormous pressure as a new mum.

Dani gave birth to her first child, Santiago, in January 2021 , while with her former partner Sammy Kimmence. She is now expecting twin girls with her West Ham footballer boyfriend Jarrod Bowen.

The pressure to be a 'good mum'

One of the topics Dani will discuss in the documentary, which is titled 'Dani Dyer: Is This Anxiety?' is the pressure women increasingly face to be seen as a 'good mum'.

Dani said she was 'excited' to be exploring the topic for the TV show, and hopes that it will encourage other women to open up about what they are going through.

'We still don't openly talk'

'Anxiety is a topic that everyone’s heard about, but we still don’t openly talk about our experiences. It can affect anyone, but as a young mum, it can be overwhelming,' she said.

'I’m really excited to be working with E4 and Summer Films to explore this topic, remove the stigma associated with mental health and meet other mums who have struggled with the pressures of what a supposed "good mum" looks like.'

Part of the film will cover the responses Dani got when she asked other parents on social media if they were struggling with parenthood, with her followers' replies being featured in the programme.

Dad Danny's pride

We recently reported how Dani has moved back in with her parents as she awaits the arrival of her twin daughters, and how her dad Danny had spoken of his pride in his daughter.

'Dani's only got a couple of months now before she gives birth and she's doing so well,' he told a magazine.

'She's actually moved back in with us while her new house gets sorted and it's been so lovely having her around. I've got so much respect for that kid, she's amazing.'

The father and daughter duo also recently made an Italian travel programme together, Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani do Italy, which will air on 23 April, and will show the pair undertaking a road trip around Italy, and exploring the culture, art and history of the country.

Dani's anxiety documentary will go out later this year, and will form part of a series of Channel 4 programmes exploring mental health issues, including a film from former Made in Chelsea star and radio host Sam Thompson. 'Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?' will document the reality star's experiences of neurodivergence, and his symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.

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