Downfall of Darren Day: What happened to the notorious lothario who dated Hollywood stars after brutally dumping mother of his child Suzanne Shaw as she battled Postnatal depression

Daily Mail​

27-04-2025

At the height of his fame actor, singer and TV personality Darren Day was one of UK's most well known faces after being catapulted to stardom as Phillip Schofield 's replacement in West End musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
He became a regular on the celeb party scene and gained a reputation as a ladies man, with numerous engagements including to future Hollywood stars Isla Fisher and Anna Friel, before settling down with Hear'Say's Suzanne Shaw, 13 years his junior.
However Darren's reputation and career took a major nose dive after he walked out on the singer and their seven-week old son Corey on Mother's Day in 2005, as she battled postnatal depression, reportedly uttering the phrase 'I don't do family.'
Speaking about it on Vanessa Feltz 's Channel 5 show this week, Suzanne, who also shares 10-year-old son Rafferty with partner Sam Greenfield, revealed that her ex 'pretty much went out to get a curry and didn't come back' and said the fact she developed postnatal depression was 'no surprise'.
Darren famously embarked on the romance with the singer while they were both engaged to other people. He later married Stephanie Dooley, who he eventually divorced in 2019, nine years after she took him back when he was caught philandering with ex Suzanne.
Darren, now 56, is these days is better known for his scandalous love life, his battle with drink and drugs as well as appearance on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother, Come Dine with Me, and I'm A Celebrity.....Get Me Out Of Here.
However he does continue his work on stage, as well as a stint in Hollyoaks, and regularly tours the UK in musicals including appearances alongside current fiancée and fellow actor Sophie Ladds, after insisting his love rat days were behind him.
Darren mostly returned to musical Chicago where he will play Billy Flynn for show's in Wolverhampton, while ex Strictly star Kevin Clifton and West End actor Dan Burton perform it elsewhere around the country.
Darren, who also shares daughter Maddy, 18, and son Dalton Day, 19, with ex-wife Stephanie first began to rehabilitate his reputation with an appearance in 2016's Celebrity Big Brother saying he 'wanted the opportunity to show the public where I am now'.
He told Lorraine Kelly at the time: 'If you Google me now the dodgy stuff is further down! Now nice things are said in the playground.
'It's taken time to build up bridges again, the last decade – I've worked hard and it finally feels like all the hard work has paid off.
'My lifestyle changed, I don't drink, I even gave up smoking I try and be a good husband and father and be a good man.'
He later married Stephanie Dooley (pictured 2016) who he eventually divorced in 2019, nine years after she took him back when after he was caught philandering with ex Suzanne
In 2023 he admitted going 'cold turkey' from drink and drugs in the I'm A Celebrity Jungle, after appearing on the first series way back in 2002 where he was eliminated third.
Darren has been open about his substance addiction in the past - but has revealed for the first time he stopped using them abruptly when he entered the jungle and speaking on GMB alongside TV personality and I'm A Celeb co-star Christine Hamilton, Darren explained his difficult ordeal during his time on the show.
He said: 'I've been very candid with you this morning about being in recovery and stuff like that. 'I will level with you and I've never said this publicly before - but I went cold turkey [on I'm A Celebrity].'
Host Richard Madeley then asked: 'From drink, drugs or both?' to which Darren replied: 'Both - cocaine, the demon powder, and the demon drink.
'I literally went cold turkey in front of the whole country. I was smashed when I got on the plane to Australia.'
He also confessed: 'The main reason I did Big Brother was to try and redeem myself because I was so ashamed of Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.'
In April 2010 Darren was found guilty of his second drink-driving offence in two years and was banned from driving for five years.
He previously admitted he went on a week-long drugs binge which saw him not sleep, eat or change his clothes after he hit rock bottom during lockdown.
Darren said he barricaded himself in his bathroom and took '20 to 30 grams of cocaine' within the week after his company went bust and his work dried up as a result of the pandemic.
He said: 'I lost a week of my life. I did about 20 to 30 grams of cocaine. I kept going until it was gone. I sat at the top of the stairs and I sobbed like I've never sobbed before.'
Deciding to sort his life out, the former Celebrity Big Brother star called up pal Robbie Williams - who has faced his own demons in the past - who then put Darren in touch with his mental health team.
The singer and actor has always been open about his struggles with addiction in the past – stating he is 'lucky to be alive' after enduring 'dark days' of excessive cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Darren developed a crack addiction between 2001 and 2005, which he described as 'ridiculously intense', he explained how he was grateful that he didn't go down the route of taking heroin, but described smoking crack as his 'darkest days'.
In 2020 he took to X to record a heartfelt video to address the mental strain his lifestyle has had on him over the years.
Telling his followers: 'Since my stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house four years ago its well documented that I am in recovery/sobriety with issues around addiction. That I've spoken publicly about.
'Something I have never spoken about is my mental health issues. That changes as of today because I have become involved with a wonderful new charity: Its OK Not To Be OK.'
In 1994, Darren began a relationship with Anna Friel who was at the height of her UK fame amid her stint in Brookside, which lasted three years during which time he proposed.
Two weeks after dumping her, he started dating Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw - whom he met while on tour with Summer Holiday in Manchester - giving her the £30,000 engagement ring meant for his ex.
After a stormy relationship, the pair split and Darren told of their cocaine-fuelled sex binges, before meeting former Home and Away star Isla, gushing: 'She's the first girl I've been in love with.' They too became engaged but split because of their 'hectic lifestyles'.
He enjoyed then brief flings with Joan Collins's daughter Tara Newley and Sophia Thierens.
WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION?
Postnatal depression is a form of the mental-health condition that affects more than one in 10 women in the UK and US within a year of giving birth.
As many men can be affected as women, research suggests.
Many parents feel down, teary and anxious within the first two weeks of having a child, which is often called the 'baby blues'.
But if symptoms start later or last longer, they may be suffering from postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is just as serious as others form of the mental-health disorder.
Symptoms include:
Persistent sadness
Lack of enjoyment or interest in the wider world
Fatigue
Insomnia
Struggling to bond with your baby
Withdrawing from others
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Frightening thoughts, such as hurting your baby
Sufferers should not wait for their symptoms to just go away.
Instead they should recognise that it is not their fault they are depressed and it does not make them a bad parent.
If you or your partner may be suffering, talk to your GP or health visitor.
Treatments can include self-help, such as talking to loved ones, resting when you can and making time to do things you enjoy. Therapy may also be prescribed.
In severe cases where other options have not helped, antidepressants may be recommended. Doctors will prescribe ones that are safe to take while breastfeeding.
Postnatal depression's cause is unclear, however, it is more common in those with a history of mental-health problems.
Lack of support from loved ones, a poor relationship with the partner and a life-changing event, such as bereavement, can also raise the risk.