EXCLUSIVE Tom Grennan reveals 'anxiety has taken over' in recent months after he suffered a 'bad ankle injury' - as singer gears up to headline BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend

Daily Mail​

23-05-2025

Tom Grennan has revealed his 'anxiety has taken over' in recent months after undergoing an ankle operation.
The Little Bit of Love singer, 29, is gearing up for 'one of the biggest shows of his life' on Friday night as he closes the opening day of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.
But the usually energetic performer is not '100 per cent' for the big night after spending eight weeks recovering from an ankle tendon injury.
In a candid interview with MailOnline, Tom - who has been open about his struggles with mental health throughout his career - spoke about the affect the injury has had on him over the past few months.
'I'm a person like every body who suffers with anxiety and mental health,' the performer said.
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'I've got a bad ankle, I've had to have an operation to get a tendon rebuilt so I was in a boot for eight weeks. It's not good, it's a long recovery. I think that's where a lot of my anxiousness over the past few months has come from.
'So we'll see what I can do tonight, I'm going to have to get it strapped up - I'm still not comfortable with it. I think that's where a lot of my anxiousness over the past few months has come from.'
In a heartbreaking interview on Pete Wicks's podcast earlier this month, the singer revealed the crippling anxiety he suffered after being the victim of a random street attack when he was just 17.
The attack - which saw Tom get 'held by three guys and pounded in the face' - left the Bedford-born vocalist scared to leave his home.
Throughout his career however, Tom has had some 'great friends' in the music industry who have helped him get through his struggles.
'My good friend Roman Kemp is a person I can speak to - he's been a big advocate for mental health so we speak a lot,' he told MailOnline.
'Harley from Rizzle Kicks, he's a really good friend and someone I can speak openly to. My manager as well - there's more but I think definitely those three I can fully trust.
'A lot has happened in my life over the last few months where anxiety has taken over but it's important to have that too - it means I care.
'When I hit the stage, it's a different energy. It's like football, when you're in the game everything melts away. It's the same on stage, nothing else matters when I'm up there.'
Crowds at Liverpool's Sefton Park will be eagerly waiting for Tom's performance on Friday night.
And Tom said he 'can't wait' for what he's described as 'one of the biggest' performances of his life.
'To be doing Radio 1's Big Weekend from nine years ago putting my song on BBC Introducing and hoping someone would hear it top be now sat here about to headline the gaff it's pretty nuts,' he added.
'And up north too - I love it up here - the people are just different. They're just amazing people when you come up north.'#
Tom too revealed that he's been working on a new album - which he says will not have any features.
'No one wanted to work with me,' he joked.
The new album is set delve into Tom's 'struggles with different aspects of my life, whether it's alcohol or drugs. I've opened up about my life, from being a kid to now, family and relationships.'
He will perform in front of a packed out Sefton Park, where more than 100,000 music fans are set to flock over the course of this weekend.
Musicians will be spread across four stages - Radio 1 Main Stage, Radio 1's Future Sounds, Radio 1 Dance and BBC Introducing.
Tom will share a stage with a host of artists tonight including Biffy Clyro, Natasha Bedingfield, The Wombats and James Hype.
Blossoms, Sam Fender and Tom Odell will take to the stage on Saturday before Jorja Smith, Lola Young and Tate McRae perform on Sunday - as well as a host of other artists.