**Conor Benn Opens Up on Mental Health Struggles Following Doping Allegations**
Boxer Conor Benn has spoken candidly about the severe mental health challenges he faced during a tumultuous period in his professional career, revealing that he considered suicide amid the fallout from doping allegations and a protracted legal battle to clear his name. Benn, who features in the latest series of Channel 4’s *Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins*, has shared previously unseen details of how the ordeal tested him beyond anything he had experienced in the boxing ring.
Benn’s personal crisis began in late 2022, when he was scheduled to fight fellow British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. That bout was abruptly cancelled after routine drug testing returned positive results for clomifene, a substance commonly associated with fertility treatment in women but banned in professional sport. Benn maintained his innocence, attributing the results to an error, but relinquished his licence in the face of a possible lengthy suspension.
For almost two years, Benn’s career hung in the balance as he contested the allegations with the UK Anti-Doping Agency (Ukad) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC). During this period, Benn says he was besieged by self-doubt, public scrutiny and the overwhelming sense that his reputation had been irreparably damaged.
In a deeply personal interview with Piers Morgan on *Uncensored*, Benn described the emotional toll the suspension and subsequent investigation took on him. With visible emotion, he admitted, “It hurt me… I didn’t think I was going to make it through this period. I genuinely didn’t think I would come out the other side.” On being questioned about whether he had experienced suicidal thoughts, Benn responded unequivocally, saying that he had indeed reached that desperate point.
Benn struggled to articulate the rapid decline in his mental health. The boxer reflected on the immense pressure, saying, “I was shamed for something I hadn’t done. It felt like being on death row for a crime I wasn’t guilty of. If I had made a mistake, I would own up to it. But this… this was different.” He expressed concern not just for himself, but for the impact the saga had on his family, remarking how years of dedication and sacrifice seemed to unravel overnight due to what he described as “someone else’s incompetence”.
The emotional ramifications of the investigation highlight the often overlooked psychological effects professional athletes experience when forced to navigate public controversy. Benn’s case brings into sharp relief the need for greater support structures within sport, particularly for those dealing with reputational crisis and the breakdown of their career path.
Benn’s eventual exoneration came in 2024, when his provisional suspension was lifted. In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the welterweight recounted the distressing ordeal, noting it had been the “toughest fight of my life”. He pointed to separate rulings by the World Boxing Council and the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), both of which found he had no case to answer and was free to resume fighting.
Despite his vindication, the two-year period left lasting scars. Benn has since spoken of his commitment to promoting clean sport and advocating for mental health awareness among athletes. He described this continuing journey as one of rebuilding, both personally and professionally.
As Benn returns to public life through both boxing and reality television, his willingness to discuss his mental health experiences offers an important reminder of the hidden costs attached to sporting controversies. His hope, he says, is that by sharing his story, he can inspire others in similar situations to reach out for help and resist the urge to suffer in silence.
*Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins* continues its current series on Channel 4, promising more tales of endurance, resilience, and the human struggle behind the public personas of its celebrity contestants. For Benn, the toughest battles have been outside the ring—and his story will undoubtedly resonate with many who’ve fought their own unseen wars.