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Simon Pegg opens up about alcoholism: 'I'm an actor, so I acted all the f**king time'

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 09 July 2018 10:37 BST
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Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg

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Simon Pegg has revealed he struggled with alcohol addiction while filming the 2006 film Mission: Impossible III and also dealt with bouts of depression.

In an interview with the Guardian, the actor said he hid his addiction from family and friends, and also had to take out court orders to stop the story leaking to the press.

"When I watch [Mission: Impossible III] back, I can see where I was then, which was fairly lost, and unhappy, and an alcoholic," he said. "Because I hid it. I'm an actor, so I acted... all the f**king time."

"One thing addiction does is make you clever at not giving anything away," he added. "People think junkies and alcoholics are slovenly, unmotivated people. They're not - they are incredibly organised. They can nip out for a quick shot of whisky and you wouldn't know they have gone. It's as if... you are micro-managed by it.

"But eventually the signs are too obvious. You have taken the dog for one too many walks."

Pegg has spoken about his issues with alcohol in the past, where he said multiple factors had helped motivate him to quit drinking.

Pegg reprises his role as Benji Dunn in Mission: Impossible - Fallout which is released in UK cinemas on 25 July.

His co-star Tom Cruise recently became the first actor to perform a HALO stunt, which saw the Hollywood star train for weeks with a team of camera operators before attempting the jump.

If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol, you can find confidential support at DrinkAware.co.uk

For confidential support on mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.mind.org.uk

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