00s pop icon reveals how crystal meth addiction 'almost killed' him
The pop star rose to prominence in 1998 when the band was formed by ex-Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, also comprising Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara, Hannah Spearritt, and Rachel Stevens.
Lee rejoined the pop group for smaller reunions in the 2010s, including the 2023 arena tour, which took place without Spearritt, who left when Cattermole died of heart failure.
In a new interview, the 43-year-old singer has admitted he once spent £250 per week on crystal meth, a habit that began long after S Club's heyday.
It also led to him being sectioned in 2019.
'I didn't even recognise myself at that time,' he recalled. 'Sometimes, in the midst of one of the psychotic episodes where I'd be smashing my flat up with a hammer, I'd catch sight of myself in the mirror and say, 'What the f**k?''
Crystal meth, a highly addictive recreational and performance-enhancing drug, can boost energy levels and confidence in the short term, but its longer-term health impacts can be devastating, such as serious depression, anxiety, memory loss, aggression, and hallucinations.
On how it took over his life, Lee reflected to MailOnline: 'I'd have a moment of lucidity, thinking, 'I was a successful young man; I had a brilliant career, incredible life. What am I doing?''
There were points when he found himself with 'holes in the walls around [him]' and 'cuts all over [his] knuckles', as well as a 'swollen eye' from punching himself in the head.
Lee would sleep with a hammer underneath his bed, once breaking down his bathroom door out of paranoia after hallucinations convinced him there were other people in his apartment.
'I didn't look anything like Jon from S Club, or what people would expect Jon from S Club to look like,' he admitted, having also shaved his head in his thirties.
His addiction struggles came to a head when concerned neighbours called police, after which the Reach hitmaker was sectioned, having been transported to a clinic via ambulance.
Acknowledging that he was a 'danger to [himself]', he said someone would sit outside his room, and he had to leave the door open.
Lee, who also took the party drug GHB, which is a type of liquid ecstasy, now has immense 'regret' for what his family went through during that period.
'I'm not sure how I'm still here,' he stated, having previously taken four times the dose in his darkest moments with the intention of not waking up the next day.
He also used hard drugs as a distraction from his grief after his dad's death from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2014.
While once unable to leave his flat for days on end, Lee went travelling three years ago to find himself.
In India, he met a rescue dog, which he claims gave him a new purpose, resulting in him returning to the UK in 2022 with three rescues of his own.
Lee moved to Cornwall, living next door to his mum and sister.
Career-wise, Lee is set to appear on the next series of Celebs Go Dating.
And it's believed Lee found the love he was looking for in the pre-recorded E4 series, as he's now said to be dating Jordan Fairhurst. More Trending
The performer, who came out publicly as gay in 2010, is said to have felt sparks fly 'instantly' upon meeting his new boyfriend under the dating agency.
'There was a real connection there from the get-go, and things developed really quickly,' a source told The Sun. 'They have been on a few dates on the show, but now they are official and in a full-blown relationship.'
'Jon never expected to find something serious on the show, but Jordan really took him by surprise,' added the insider.
'Fans will see how the relationship develops on the show, but it's one of the love stories of the series. It's all very sweet.'
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