Poor mental health is a significant problem in the UK. Perfectionist ideals, unrealistic expectations, competition and comparison alienate us from our true selves. Since getting sober in 1992 I have dedicated my time to helping others with their problems and raising awareness of these important issues.

In 2005 I gave up a successful career in TV and entertainment to write two books on recovery and to retrain as an addictions counsellor. I was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study best practice in the USA. Subsequently I founded and became CEO of Living Room Cardiff, and set up Beat the Odds, Cynnal and Enfys – counselling services for gamblers, clergy and doctors respectively. I provide training courses in conjunction with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. I've also organised conferences at the Welsh Assembly on excessive gambling and also an annual lecture.

Now, as a specialist counselling consultant, I'm expanding services to other parts of Wales. I also provide secretarial support to the Senedd's Cross-party Group on gambling and I am a member of the Task and Finish Group advising the First Minister on actions to be taken to tackle gambling-related harm in Wales.