Heston: My Life with Bipolar will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two in June…
The corporation has commissioned a documentary from Heston Blumenthal following his life changing bipolar diagnosis.
Heston Blumenthal:
“I was living with undiagnosed bipolar for many years, so it’s been an extraordinary journey to get where I am today. There is still a big stigma around bipolar but it is vital to be able to talk openly about the condition. I know this isn’t always easy, but I hope by sharing my experience in this documentary, people will gain a greater understanding of bipolar and an insight into my life now.”
With exclusive access to Heston and some of those closest to him, the hour-long film is a personal and emotional exploration of a serious mental health condition and how Heston is rebuilding his life. Heston Blumenthal is one the world’s greatest chefs, with seven Michelin stars to his name. Yet in 2023, Heston started experiencing hallucinations and suicidal thoughts – with behaviour so extreme, he was sectioned.
Following a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, Heston started taking medication that would keep him alive but sap his energy and, he feared, extinguish his creativity. Filmed over six months, this documentary follows Heston in the aftermath of his diagnosis as he tries to understand the role bipolar played in his success and the impact it had on the people he loves.
He also explores the state of bipolar care in the UK as he meets people to hear about their own experiences with the condition and the challenges they face.
Executive Producer by Mike Radford:
“This is the first time Heston has given his account of what happened for a documentary. We’re grateful to Heston for giving such a raw and unfiltered view of his life with this condition, which we know impacts the lives of so many people.”
The documentary also explores the stories of other people with bipolar and hears of the difficulties some face in accessing treatment. It’s something brought home to him when he meets a mother whose daughter took her own life when she struggled to get the care she needed.
For Heston, as he undergoes long-term treatment for his bipolar, he talks about its importance to his creativity: an important question as we see him continue his journey back to health and running his restaurant empire – centred on multi award winning The Fat Duck.
Heston: My Life with Bipolar will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Thursday 19 June.
