Sport stars set to reveal battle with depression

FORMER Celtic captain Neil Lennon will be among a host of sports legends revealing their battle with depression on television tonight.

Mind Games: Inside Depression in Sport comes in the wake of the death of German international goalkeeper Robert Enke, whose suicide this month shocked the sporting world.

The programme promises to “tackle the taboo issue of mental illness, and explores the dark side of sporting fame and fortune”.

Lennon has suffered from depression since 2000, when he was playing for Leicester City, though the condition was not diagnosed until his time at Celtic, when it was confirmed by the Scottish club’s doctor Roddy McDonald.

Lennon is just one of the many stars to suffer from the illness in football, with other high profile names including England hero Paul Gascoigne.

Among the sports stars to feature on tonight’s programme are Lennon, All Black legend John Kirwan, England cricketer Marcus Trescothick and former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno.

“The encouraging theme for all is that they have learned to deal with their depression and come out the other side as stronger and happier people,” says presenter Gabby Logan.

“Our case studies show that there is hope for those who suffer with mental illness. One in four in Britain have been affected, so there is certainly no shame in asking for help.”

The Inside Sport special is broadcast on BBC1 Northern Ireland at 11.15pm tonight.