Ulrika Jonsson, the former Gladiators host and beloved TV presenter, has marked a significant milestone: one full year of sobriety. At 57, Jonsson has openly shared her journey from struggling with alcohol addiction to embracing a life free from drink, a transformation she describes as both spiritual and deeply healing.
Jonsson's path to sobriety began on June 5, 2024, a day she now recalls vividly. "It was a hangover day, much like any other, really," she told The Sun. "I sat on the sofa with my liver and brain pickled in equal measure, wrapped up in the blanket of shame, and something made me reach out for help." That moment of clarity led her to send a life-saving text to a close friend simply stating, "I can't do this any more." This message marked the turning point that pulled her from the depths of addiction.
The TV star has described herself candidly as a "binge drinker who drank to black out," revealing that her drinking was often fueled by a desire to numb "crippling anxiety, to escape, to disappear and extinguish my self-loathing." She admitted to moments of drinking neat rum in a cupboard at 11 a.m. and waking with no memory of the previous night. Despite maintaining a career, family life, and friendships, the emotional toll was profound and hidden beneath a polished exterior.
Jonsson has reflected on the shame and secrecy that shrouded her drinking. "Alcoholics come in all shapes and sizes and many live among us in plain sight," she wrote. She also acknowledged a family history of alcoholism, which may have made her more vulnerable to addiction. "I wasn't cut out for life," she confessed, explaining how alcohol became her coping mechanism when life felt unbearable. "I wanted the full anaesthetic effect… I just wanted the feelings to stop."
Her decision to seek help was spurred by a heartfelt intervention from a best friend, who called her after a night when Jonsson's speech was unintelligible. "She told me I needed help. I knew it came from a place of love. The sense of shame would have been enough to make me want a drink. But not on that occasion. Instead, I sobbed like a child who desperately needed someone to hold her. I was full of despair," Jonsson shared.
Since giving up alcohol, Jonsson says she has learned more about herself in the past year than in the previous five decades. She describes her recovery as a "spiritual awakening" that has brought her "inner peace." The journey, she admits, is ongoing and she lives one day at a time, fully aware that sobriety is a lifelong commitment.
To mark her one-year anniversary, Jonsson took to Instagram to share a touching post featuring before-and-after photos. One showed her looking healthy and glowing, captioned "#sober," while the other, labelled "#drunk," revealed a bleary-eyed, dishevelled version of herself from her drinking days. In her post, she wrote, "Today I'm marking 1yr of sobriety. No fanfare, no medal, no trophy. The journey goes on." She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters: "A huge thanks to all those beautiful people who have supported me; understood me; scooped me up and handled me tenderly and without judgement; who nudged me in the right direction; who made me laugh and helped me shed the crippling shame."
Jonsson also paid tribute to her family, especially her four children—Cameron, 30; Bo, 25; Martha, 20; and Malcolm, 16—apologizing for the worry her struggles caused them. "Thank you to my kids for their support; for having faith in me after I must have worried them so," she wrote. She extended thanks to her close friends for their patience and belief, adding with a touch of humor, "My sobriety will continue to be my priority. Turns out it IS possible to teach old dogs new tricks."
Her six-month sobriety milestone in December 2024 was similarly marked with reflection. At that time, she shared a photo of herself "in the midst of the madness," during her drinking days—an image she once "couldn't bear" to look at. Now, she views that girl with "pity and sympathy," recognizing how broken she was and how much she needed support rather than judgment.
Jonsson’s story is a powerful reminder that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background or success, and that recovery is possible with the right support. Her openness has resonated with many, including celebrity friends who have publicly applauded her courage and progress.
For those struggling with similar challenges, help is available. Alcoholics Anonymous can be contacted at 0800 917 7650 or via email at [email protected].
Ulrika Jonsson’s journey from darkness to light underscores the complex nature of addiction and the profound strength it takes to reclaim one’s life. Her story is not just about giving up alcohol—it’s about finding peace, healing, and hope.
