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Eoghan McDermott recalls Bressie hiding from fan hysteria in Tesco

Eoghan McDermott has revealed that Bressie once had to hide from “enthusiastic” fans in Tesco.

The presenter spoke about Bressie’s battle with mental health in his column for the Irish Sun this week, and admitted that the attention that The Blizzards star received at the height of his fame wasn’t good for his well-being.

“His level of fame was comparable to any international superstar and it was not uncommon for him to be chased down the street by his legions of female fans,” he wrote.

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Hysteria: Bressie was mobbed by fans at the height of his fame | VIPIRELAND.COM

“I remember being on the phone to him as he hid in the stock room of Tesco in Temple Bar to avoid a mass of particularly enthusiastic teens. I know this type of attention was never something he craved, courted or cared for.

“This prolific life-altering explosion was prior to his big confession. He told how he was a major sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks.

“I know that this sudden propulsion into an intense and sometimes unforgiving spotlight did not do wonders for his personal well-being.

Bressie signs copies of his CD 'Rage & Romance' in Brown Thomas

Not good: Eoghan admitted that the attention wasn’t good for Bressie’s well-being | VIPIRELAND.COM

“It heightened all the symptoms he was experiencing as a regular human being and multiplied them exponentially,” he revealed.

Speaking about Bressie’s work as a mental health campaigner, Eoghan praised his efforts and admitted that Bressie’s Lust For Life project has been generously funded by his own personal resources.

“His metamorphosis into a mental health campaigner is probably not a road he anticipated and itself brings a heavy burden, although his passion is sincere and efforts relentless.

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Support: Eoghan praised Bressie for his work with A Lust For Life | BRIAN MCEVOY

“Inexplicably, he is occasionally criticised online by the usual faceless trolls who accuse him of profiting from his campaigning. I know for a fact that his Lust For Life project has been part-funded by his own personal resources, generously so.

“Since its inception, the project has helped many people focus on their negative experiences and seek to find a solution.

“It has become a huge part of his day-to-day life and huge sacrifices have been made to help others,” he added.

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