Johnny Vegas 'feels like a fraud' as he makes heartbreaking admission
A new Channel 4 documentary sees actor and comedian Johnny Vegas candidly open up about his career insecurities, even admitting to feeling "like a fraud" at times.
The Benidorm star takes centre stage in new two-part series Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD and Me, which will land on Channel 4 on Wednesday, 6 August and Thursday, 7 August.
Johnny, born Michael Pennington, reveals his insecurites around stand-up comedy in the programme and also takes on his biggest artistic challenge to date as he sets out to create a piece of public art for his hometown of St. Helens.
The creative venture soon becomes a journey of self-discovery for Johnny, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, at the age of 52.
While his artistic vision falters, the documentary captures an honest conversation about mental health and a heartfelt segment about understanding yourself.
A first-look clip released by Channel 4 shows the reality of Johnny's struggles before taking on a stand-up comedy show, with the actor seen opening up about the anxiety he feels before heading on stage.
Looking slightly defeated, Johnny opens up to camera, saying: "I don't know how I have the career I have. With doing stand-up, with putting yourself front and centre, I'm not... I'm an observer by nature."
He went on to admit: "I don't want to be noticed. I feel like a fraud. And you reach that point where you go, 'at what cost to yourself, to your own headspace, to my own mental health?'"
Johnny's new documentary comes after he revealed that rediscovering his love of art and ceramics has helped him to deal with his ADHD more effectively.
'Ceramics, and art has recently found its way back into my life in a big way,' Johnny, who publicly shared his ADHD diagnosis back in 2023, said. 'I see beauty in all sorts of shapes.'
He also spoke about the reality of living with ADHD, revealing how he can struggle to focus on just one thing at a time.
Johnny told The Times: "ADHD is a bit like being surrounded by butterflies and trying to decide which one to catch.
"So many thoughts and ideas, it becomes white noise. The flipside is if I do lock on to something, I can lose myself for five or six hours.'
Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD and Me airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Wednesday, 6 August
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