Cliff Notes – Paddy McGuinness savaged by James Blunt after likening his gigs to clinical depression
- Paddy McGuinness compared the experience of clinical depression to being trapped at a James Blunt concert, prompting a humorous response from Blunt.
- Blunt embraced the joke, using it to promote his upcoming Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary tour on social media.
- Fans praised Blunt’s witty comeback, highlighting his self-deprecating humour and ability to turn a negative comment into a promotional opportunity.
Paddy McGuinness savaged by James Blunt after likening his gigs to ‘clinical depression’
James Blunt has hit back at Paddy McGuinness, who described clinical depression as much like being at one of his concerts with no way out.
The You’re Beautiful hitmaker, 51, has never been one to take himself too seriously and his recent social media activity has officially crowned him the king of self-depreciation.
Earlier this month radio star Paddy, 51, chatted to RTE One in a candid interview about his struggle with clinical depression.
While trying to describe what it feels like, Paddy explained: ‘The best way to describe clinical depression is depression on steroids.
‘I’m not being very fair to him, but it’s almost being at a James Blunt concert and they’ve closed the exits. Then when you finally get one open and burst through it, you’re in another James Blunt concert.
‘He’s a lovely fella by the way, but it’s the only analogy I could think of.’
Paddy went on to explain that when he had depression, he didn’t realise it.
Paddy McGuinness opened up about his experience of depression, describing it as like being at a James Blunt concert with no exit (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures UK)
James Blunt owned the joke though, by using it to plug his Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary tour (Picture: Luke Brennan/Getty Images)
He said: ‘My wife at the time said, “You’ve not been yourself for ages.” I thought I was just a bit stressed at work, a bit irritable. Clearly, I’d taken a massive turn.’
Always keen for a tour plug, weeks later James has posted the interview on his X account and said: ‘Suddenly clinical depression sounds quite fun. Tickets available here: http://jamesblunt.com/tour.’
Fans were proud of his comeback.
‘As ever, Blunt defends with a straight bat and hits a boundary. Stylish chap that he is,’ X user James Miller wrote.
‘It’s nice to be mentioned,’ joked another fan called Anita, while Fiona said: ‘I know it is a joke, but seriously, he has clearly never been to a James Blunt concert. Absolute joy.’
Symptoms of depression
See a GP if you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.
The psychological symptoms of depression include:
continuous low mood or sadness
feeling hopeless and helpless
having low self-esteem
feeling tearful
feeling guilt-ridden
feeling irritable and intolerant of others
having no motivation or interest in things
finding it difficult to make decisions
not getting any enjoyment out of life
feeling anxious or worried
having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
The physical symptoms of depression include:
moving or speaking more slowly than usual
changes in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
constipation
unexplained aches and pains
lack of energy
low sex drive (loss of libido)
disturbed sleep – for example, finding it difficult to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning
The social symptoms of depression include:
having difficulties in your home, work or family life
avoiding contact with friends and taking part in fewer social activities
neglecting your hobbies and interests
Paddy might have actually done James a favour here, as he heads out on his Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary Tour this year in a string of far-flung dates across the pond.
The former soldier is kicking things off in Canada on June 12, before touring through the US and then South America, Europe and Australia.
Shortly after leaving the army in 2002, James attended his first ever gig – which was his.
He went on to become one of the biggest (and highest) British voices of the 00s, with hits including You’re Beautiful, Goodbye My Lover, Wiseman and 1973.
Lately, James has spent his time touring, almost falling off pianos in London venues and firing perfect shots – largely at himself – on social media.