Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed he is a recovering alcoholic in a startling health disclosure. Speaking with The Times, the West End icon acknowledged that despite asserting he possessed a “very strong will” when liquidating his wine collection in 2016, he “started to drink secretly” and found himself battling alcohol dependency.
Back in 2016, he declared he had quit drinking “completely,” having consumed wine daily since age 15. He has now disclosed that his sobriety lasted 18 months, during which he was doing “what they call ‘white-knuckling,’ without any backup,” but became concerned that abstinence was hindering his artistic inspiration.
He confessed to the publication, “And I thought, ‘But I’ve said to everybody that I’m not drinking.’ So I started to drink secretly. I am a recovering alcoholic. Sixteen months ago I decided that I needed help and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” It comes years after Bam Margera opened up about her alcoholism recovery journey.
Lloyd Webber is now auctioning off his expensive wines once more — this time permanently. He’s participating in Alcoholics Anonymous sessions and going through rehab, collaborating with a sponsor to maintain his sobriety, reports the Express.
He acknowledged that despite believing he was acting covertly, “everybody knows.” He descended into a “downward spiral” and left his family “desperate,” with his cherished wife Madeleine Gurdon “feeling she couldn’t go on.”
He checked into rehab, though his initial attempt “didn’t work” — however, it motivated him to participate in AA gatherings. The star revealed he “loves” attending the meetings and has formed genuine friendships there.
His celebrity status doesn’t create problems, with Lloyd Webber acknowledging, “Of course [I get recognised], but it’s not an issue. I did the meeting in New York on the day I was opening Cats: The Jellicle Ball last week, and nobody said a thing.”
The composer reflected that he feels “lucky that nothing did go very wrong,” though he’s experienced several close calls. He wrapped up by saying, “I am deeply sorry and I can only apologise to people if I made a mess.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
