Seann Walsh was "extremely depressed" after his and Katya Jones\' controversial kiss.
The 34-year-old comedian and his \'Strictly Come Dancing\' pro partner were caught locking lips during a night out in 2018 - when both had partners at the time - and he admitted the subsequent scandal impacted his mental health.
He told The Times newspaper: "F***ing hell! Yes, I was very, very depressed. Yes, I was extremely depressed.
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"I mean, I\'ve always had a bit of a problem with that, but nothing like this."
Seann revealed the situation also had an effect on his stand-up at the time, as he found himself doubting his performances and second guessing the crowd.
He said: "This is a cliché, but no matter how well the gig is going a comedian always spots that face that is not laughing right.
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"The problem for me is, I see that face not laughing and I go, \'Oh God. They don\'t like me because of the things they\'ve read about me.\' "
The star explained that comics often look for "the love of strangers", but he has had to "do a lot of growing up" over the past couple of years.
He explained: "You have to learn to like yourself. As a comedian you are going out there and you are looking for the love of strangers. I went on \'Strictly Come Dancing\' and instead of the love of strangers I got the hate of strangers.
"And so you come out of that thinking, \'I can\'t be looking for the love of strangers any more.\' I have to just like myself. I still want to make millions of people laugh, but there has to be a separation.
"I have to accept what I did wrong, understand that, but also forgive myself. There is pre-Strictly me and there is post-Strictly me, they are closely related, but I had to change."
17 April 2026 - 4:05 AM
29 December 2025 - 3:17 AM
