'I'm in a good place': Strictly's Brian Conley says he is feeling better after his battle with depression and enjoys the 'endorphins' he gets from dancing

The comedian, seen on Strictly tonight with his dance partner Amy Dowden, fell ill after the death of his father in 1998

The comedian, seen on Strictly tonight with his dance partner Amy Dowden, fell ill after the death of his father in 1998

Strictly Come Dancing's Brian Conley has revealed he is in a 'good place' following a long battle with depression.

The comedian fell ill after the death of his father in 1998 and spoke publicly about his struggles with mental health on I'm A Celebrity in 2012.

He later had to quit the show to receive hospital treatment for 'exhaustion and malnutrition'.

Conley stopped taking the anti-depressants he had been on for 15 years in 2012 and now relies on techniques including breathing exercises and mindfulness. 

'To help me sleep and things like that, I do go through certain things I have learnt with mindfulness,' he told The Mirror

'Anxiety is the future, depression is the past, happiness is right here, right now. If I wasn't in a good place, I couldn't do what I do now.'

The death of Conley's father led to struggles with drink, but he has not touched a drop for 13 years. 

He added: 'If you have anxiety, people always want to drink to relieve that flame. 

'But that's like putting fire out with petrol because when you wake up in the morning you will have much more anxiety than ever before.'

Viewers branded Conley 'this year's Ed Balls' following his first performance on the show (pictured)
Conley said dancing is helping to keep his spirits up by releasing endorphins associated with exercise

Viewers branded Conley 'this year's Ed Balls' following his first performance on the show (pictured)

Conley said dancing is helping to keep his spirits up by releasing endorphins associated with exercise. 

And he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself as he cut his moves on Strictly tonight.   

Viewers branded Conley 'this year's Ed Balls' following his first performance on the show.

He joined partner Amy Dowden as the pair became the second to take to the stage in Saturday night's opening show of the BBC One competition.

Funnyman: He is known for the The Brian Conley Show which went on to become Britain's most-watched entertainment show at the time

Funnyman: He is known for the The Brian Conley Show which went on to become Britain's most-watched entertainment show at the time

But while their steamy tango to Heaven 17 hit Temptation was praised by the panel for its drama, his technique after two weeks of training failed to impress and was branded 'poor' by judge Craig Revel Horwood.

Alex Davenport commented on Twitter: 'Think Brian will be this years Ed'.

Andrew James Sillett teased: 'Okay, Brian, just do Ed Balls' Mask dance but in red.'

Conley coined his catchphrase 'It's a puppet!' and making him the highest paid male TV personality in the UK

Conley coined his catchphrase 'It's a puppet!' and making him the highest paid male TV personality in the UK

While other show fans shared their appreciation of his 'lovely' attitude and 'good effort' despite the lacking skills, Kath Cartmell wrote: 'oh bless needs a bit of work'.

While Conley dazzled in his dapper hat and sparkling red shoes, he earned scores of three, two fours and a five.

But new head judge Shirley Ballas, who handed him one of the fours, assured him that she saw 'plenty of room for growth'.   

Not his first reality show: Brian appeared in the 2012 series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here

Not his first reality show: Brian appeared in the 2012 series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here