ITV presenter who interviewed Prince Harry had a ‘breakdown’ and took months off TV

ITV News anchor Tom Bradby has spoken candidly about suffering a ‘breakdown’ and taking three months off work, as his new ITV thriller Secret Service prepares to air

An ITV News journalist has candidly shared his experience of taking a three-month hiatus from work following a “breakdown”. Newsreader Tom Bradby took the break in 2018, and is now openly discussing that period.

He revealed this to Radio Times while discussing the new ITV thriller Secret Service, an adaptation of his book featuring Gemma Arterton as MI6 officer Kate Henderson.

Tom mentioned that he penned that specific novel quicker than any of his other works, reflecting that the speed at which it “poured out” of him “it seems obvious that Kate – as a result of all the pressure heaped upon her – is skating on the edge of acute insomnia and some kind of breakdown”.

“And shortly after I finished it, this is exactly what happened to me,” he confessed. “I took three months off, rebooted and recovered.”, reports the Mirror.

“But when I read the book now, I do wonder at the way the character was a direct reflection of my own psychological state of mind.”

Tom has previously been transparent about his time off, disclosing that it occurred after he developed insomnia, which led to what he described as an “addiction” to a sleeping pill.

Secret Service, also starring Rafe Spall, was adapted from Tom’s best-selling novel and ITV has assured viewers of “high-stakes drama” and “political intrigue”.

The five-part series delves into the world of espionage amidst escalating tensions between the UK and Russia.

A synopsis for the programme stated: “The drama follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Gemma). On the surface, her life appears ordinary – a civil servant married to Stuart (Rafe) with two teenage children.

“However, to those who don’t know her well, Kate’s true role is heading the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service.

“When her undercover operations reveal alarming evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be a Russian asset, Kate finds herself in a desperate race to uncover their identity.”

It continues: “As a brutal murder thrusts her team into the spotlight, Kate must navigate the dangerous world of espionage while trying to hold her family together and protect her reputation.”

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