X Factor’s Janet Devlin shares update after surprise health diagnosis as she reveals plans for BBC documentary
FORMER X Factor star Janet Devlin has shared a huge update after her surprise health diagnosis.
The singer has also revealed that plans may be in place for another gripping BBC documentary.
Janet Devlin, 29, revealed that she was recently diagnosed with ADHD (known as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
But as she prepares to release new music, the singer and songwriter admitted that better understanding of her condition meant she could concentrate better.
The former X Factor star explained: “I got diagnosed with ADHD and I got medicated and was writing the best songs of my life, and I ended up writing 80 or 90 songs for this album.
“My whole team were like, yes, these songs are 20 times better than the ones you started with.
“Before it was hard to start and finish anything but also I didn’t have the ability to focus.
Janet also admitted that she was only diagnosed with the condition as she was older as she struggled to properly concentrate.
She explained: “The older I got the harder I found it to stay on top of my work.
“Just little things that my mum and parents wrote off, I swear multiple times a week my parents would have to collect my backpack from somewhere I had been because I hadn’t brought it with me.
“Loads of things were adding up. My therapist said it was clear as day, because I was constantly chasing my tale.”
The former television personality also opened up on her previous BBC documentary, Young, Female and Addicted.
In the series Janet explored the impact of her alcohol addiction and how it effected those closest around her.
She admitted that the publicly funded corporation is ready to make another show with her.
“I’m hoping to do another documentary with the BBC. The last one I did a few years ago did surprisingly well,” Janet claimed.
The star added: “So hopefully I’ll get things confirmed with the next one. The BBC are game. Which is exciting because it’s obviously a topic close to my heart.”
What is ADHD?
According to the NHS, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (widely known as ADHD) is a condition that affects people’s behaviour.
People with the condition show symptoms in different ways which include restlessness, trouble concentration and impulsive traits.
They may be noticed from a young age and a change in circumstances such as the start of school may make them more noticeable.
In most cases, ADHD is diagnosed when children are under 12-years-old, but sometimes it can be diagnosed later on in childhood.
It also may not be recognised when someone was a child and it is possible for people to be diagnosed later as an adult.
Although symptoms may improve or become more manageable, many who are diagnosed from a young age continue to experience problems.
Janet now has released a new country music album titled ‘Emotional Rodeo’.
The record entered the Official Big Top 40 chart this year and her new single, ‘Country Singer’ has surpassed Dolly Parton’s 9-5 in the country charts.
She first rose to prominence when she auditioned in front of Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh and Tulisa on the eighth series of The X Factor.
She made it all the way to the quarter final before she was eliminated in the final showdown.
The star was also previously diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (known as BPD).
But she does not blame either fame or the hit ITV talent competition for the spell of her mental health problems.
Janet admitted: “It wasn’t X Factor it was that I had a condition that meant you are constantly self seeking in loads of different ways.
“So I went to rehab and got sober and got diagnosed with the condition, and got medicated. It is easier to be sober when you are more chemically balanced.”
She added: “The BPD is anorexia, self harm, eating disorder, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse, pretty much all of those boxes I ticked. I had symptomatically those things.”
Who won the X Factor?
The X Factor aired on ITV for 15 series. We take a look back at some of the stars the show made.
- Series One (2004) – Steve Brookstein
- Series Two (2005) – Shayne Ward
- Series Three (2006) – Leona Lewis
- Series Four (2007) – Leon Jackson
- Series Five (2008) – Alexandra Burke
- Series Six (2009) – Joe McElderry
- Series Seven (2010) – Matt Cardle
- Series Eight (2011) – Little Mix
- Series Nine (2012) – James Arthur
- Series 10 (2013) – Sam Bailey
- Series 11 (2014) – Ben Haenow
- Series 12 (2015) – Louisa Johnson
- Series 13 (2016) – Matt Terry
- Series 14 (2017) – Rak-Su
- Series 15 (2018) – Dalton Harris