Hollyoaks’ Ashley Taylor Dawson is "proud" to have been asked to play out a depression plot.
The 38-year-old actor’s character Darren Osborne has been struggling with low self-esteem and inadequacy, symptoms of depression, and Ashley has teamed up with mental health charities to learn more about how people with a low mood can feel.
He said: "I’m proud to be asked to do it.
"Sadly in this day and age I think everyone has been touched by depression.
"It really affects men between 30 and 40, I’ve seen people go through it myself.
"We’ve consulted with charities and I’ve really wanted to be clear on certain things you would recognise if you’re dealing with it for real.
"Even simple everyday tasks like having a shower can feel like the biggest deal.
"Of course talking about it is good, but getting to the bottom of the problem takes more than that, it’s a massive mountain to climb."
Darren has had a turbulent past few years after leaving wife Nancy Osborne (Jess Fox) for Mandy Morgan (Sarah Jayne Dunn), he also discovered his and Mandy’s son DJ isn’t actually his biological kid, and his best friend – Mandy’s ex Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy), who is DJ’s dad – was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
He added to RadioTimes.com: "I’m not really surprised they chose Darren to have depression.
"Just look at what he’s been through. He constantly tries to do the right thing but just doesn’t go the right way about it.
"He’s the kind of guy who always wants to put a smile on everyone’s faces and is the life and soul – often it’s the people you don’t expect who go through this."
The Channel 4 soap’s executive producer Bryan Kirkwood revealed in September that Darren would battle depression this year after seeds were sown in last year’s autumn stunt when he slept with Nancy, after leaving her for Mandy.
Speaking at the time, he said: "As it always should, stunt week starts as many stories as it pays off.
"Darren is about to embark on a very serious mental health story. His battle with depression goes into next year but the origins of that play across stunt week – although he doesn’t realise it at the time.
"It sows seeds of his dissatisfaction."
Hollyoaks’ Ashley Taylor Dawson ‘proud’ of depression plot
