Rick Astley on depression after career struggles: “Therapy helped me switch the overthinking off” 

17 October, 2024

Rick Astley performs in 2024.

Rick Astley has opened up about his feelings of depression following struggles in his career and relationships.

The singer, most famous for his ‘80s classic track ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, opened up about his struggles with mental health during a new interview with The Daily Mirror. In the discussion, he recalled how he was impacted when his pop career went downhill in the ‘90s.

According to the singer, he hit a rough patch after his success in the ‘80s began to slow down, and he started to have difficulties in his relationship with Lene Bausager – his partner of 35 years.

Talking to the outlet, he recalled how his time away, renovating a second home in London, made it feel as if they had split and led to them seeking couples therapy to save the relationship.

“I spent so much time at the new house it was almost as if Lene and I had separated,” he began. “The therapy helped me switch the overthinking off and to see things in a different way… it really sorted me and Lene out.”

“It didn’t fix anything exactly, but it gave me the tools to deal with stuff better,” he continued. “Gradually Lene and I managed to close the gap and get back onto something like an even keel.”

Rick Astley performs in 2024.
Rick Astley performs in 2024 CREDIT: Robin Little/Redferns/Getty)

While Astley’s music career took a hit in the ‘90s, after the huge success of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, the singer has seen his popularity surge in recent years.

It all started when he made a surprise appearance with the Foo Fighters at Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival in 2017, where he performed his famous hit with the band.

Two years later he joined Dave Grohl for a surprise show for Club NME at London’s Moth Club.

Since then, he has also been working with Stockport indie band Blossoms.

This has included the two teaming up numerous times to perform The Smiths covers. They first did so in 2022 when Astley joined Blossoms on stage in London to perform a number of Smiths covers – before they then played a number of full gigs dedicated to the iconic ’80s indie icons.

As well as that, Astley appeared in the music video for the band’s single ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ – which was inspired by the true story of when Gary, an eight-foot fibreglass Gorilla, was stolen from Reynard Garden in Carluke, Scotland, and joined the band to cover Charli XCX‘s ‘360’ in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

Last year, he also made an appearance at Glastonbury, and performed a huge set on the Pyramid Stage.

Find links to various mental health resources below.

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