Home / Arts and Entertainment / Celia Imrie's Harrowing Eating Disorder Battle
Celia Imrie's Harrowing Eating Disorder Battle
22 Sep
Summary
- Imrie battled anorexia in her early teens after ballet school rejection.
- She received treatment at St Thomas' Hospital from psychiatrist William Sargant.
- A trip to Nice, France, significantly aided her recovery from illness.
Actress Celia Imrie, known for her role in Celebrity Traitors, has revealed a deeply personal struggle with an eating disorder during her adolescence.
At just 14 years old, Imrie developed anorexia following her rejection from the Royal Ballet School. She was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in Lambeth for treatment, recalling the unsettling atmosphere and the impactful words of a nurse who challenged her, stating she was taking the bed of a "really sick child." This remark, described as a 'firework,' spurred her motivation to recover.
Imrie also recounted facing sexism early in her acting career in the 1970s. More recently, she experienced two pulmonary embolisms, which significantly impacted her health and ability to work, leading to mental health struggles.
She found solace and recovery during a transformative trip to Nice, France. Imrie likens life's challenges to a game of snakes and ladders, and credits the beauty of Nice with helping her 'pick herself up' and overcome a difficult period, likening it to Churchill's 'black dog' of depression.
