CONTROVERSY ERUPTS over BBC Documentary: Revealing REAL LIFE or a SHOCKING HORROR truth for the sake of a stunt?

The BBC has commissioned a ‘raw and unfiltered’ documentary about a popular TV chef’s life following his bipolar diagnosis – after he was sectioned for a m@nic episode.

Heston Blumenthal, 58, known for presenting Channel 4 shows Heston’s Fantastical Food and Heston’s Feasts, was diagnosed with the condition in November 2023 after he began experiencing hallucinations, mania and even su1c1dal thoughts.

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder which causes unusual and often sudden changes in mood and energy levels.

The English chef and restaurateur, 58, previously told how his wife French entrepreneur Melanie Ceysson, 36, made the brave choice to have him sectioned – which he has since said ‘saved my life’.

After being hospitalised for two months, he is now feeling much better, with the help of medication – and wants to use his experience to raise awareness of the condition.

And now, the BBC is set to release an hour-long film on June 19 called Heston: My Life With Bipolar about the aftermath of his diagnosis.

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The BBC has commissioned a ‘raw and unfiltered’ documentary about a popular TV chef’s life following his bipolar diagnosis. Pictured: File photo

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His diagnosis came after he was sectioned for a m@nic episode. Pictured: File photo

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Heston Blumenthal (pictured), 58, known for presenting Channel 4 shows Heston’s Fantastical Food and Heston’s Feasts, was diagnosed with the condition in November 2023

The documentary will also look into the state of healthcare for those with bipolar in the UK, with Heston talking to others who also have the condition about their experiences.

He said: ‘I was living with undiagnosed bipolar for many years, so it’s been an extraordinary journey to get where I am today.

‘There is still a big stigma around bipolar, but it is vital to be able to talk openly about the condition.

‘I know this isn’t always easy, but I hope by sharing my experience in this documentary people will gain a greater understanding of bipolar and an insight into my life now.’

Heston, who has an impressive seven Michelin stars, became an ambassador for Bipolar UK in February.

The charity describes the mental health condition as an episodic disorder characterised by potentially extreme changes in energy and mood.

It carries the highest su1c1de risk of any mental health condition.

Bipolar UK estimates more than one million adults in Britain have the disorder – which is 30 per cent more than the number of people with dementia.

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The English chef and restaurateur, 58, has told how his wife French entrepreneur Melanie Ceysson (right), 36, made the brave choice to have him sectioned

But it is thought some 56 per cent of those living with bipolar in the UK do not have a diagnosis.

Mike Radford, executive producer of the upcoming documentary, said: ‘This is the first time Heston has given his account of what happened for a documentary.

‘We’re grateful to Heston for giving such a raw and unfiltered view of his life with this condition, which we know impacts the lives of so many people.’

The film, recorded over the course of six months, will see Heston and his loved ones about how his undiagnosed bipolar disorder affected them.

He will also speak about how he has since managed undergoing long-term treatment for it – which he has previously said has impacted his energy and creativity.

The chef, known for experimental creations like snail porridge and bacon and egg ice cream, told Newsnight in February medication initially left him ‘z0mb1fied’, with ‘no energy at all’.

He said: ‘As my medications have been changed and my levels of self-confidence and self-awareness have gone up I realise my imagination and creativity is still there.

‘It was at levels that were so extreme before… looking back I can remember during my m@nic highs I was interrupting myself with ideas.’

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It comes after a heart-wrenching tell-all interview (pictured) Heston gave to This Morning in March, recounting his su1c1dal thoughts and how he hallucinated about gu::ns

Heston Blumenthal opens up on su1c1dal thoughts during bipolar battle

The documentary will track his journey towards recovery and returning to work, to run his Michelin-starred restaurants The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, and Dinner, in London, and pub The Hind’s Head, also in Bray.

It comes after a heart-wrenching tell-all interview Heston gave to This Morning in March, recounting his su1c1dal thoughts and how he hallucinated about gu::ns.

The chef spoke about his mental health struggles to presenters Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shepherd, 50, to mark bipolar awareness month.

He is keen to raise awareness about the condition, explaining the figures about the high number of people living with it in the UK – along with the significant proportion of those who are undiagnosed.

The food critic explained before his diagnosis, he had stepped away from cooking and had a bit more time on his hands, which meant m@nic episodes became more prevalent.

Heston said on the ITV show: ‘In the darker moments, there was su1c1dal thoughts…

‘I realised afterwards, it’s quite a classic symptom of being in a mania stage you can hallucinate sound, smell, touch. I saw a gu::n on the table.

‘I told my wife, which obviously, for me, it all seemed quite normal. I looked back at it, there was nothing normal about it.’