Food critic opens up about hypochondria and mental health in rare personal interview
Tom Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla’s son and a well-known food critic, has candidly opened up about his private struggle with hypochondria, shedding light on the mental health challenges he faces behind the scenes of his successful career.
During an appearance on Gabby Logan’s Mid Point podcast, Parker Bowles admitted to living with constant fear over his health. “I’m always convinced I’m dying of something,” he said. “A headache is brain cancer, a cough is lung cancer.”
The 50-year-old revealed that his anxiety frequently drives him to visit his doctor with imagined symptoms, saying humorously, “This is it, doc, this is the big one.”
His frankness has resonated with many, helping to open up wider conversations about health anxiety and the emotional toll it can take. Often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hypochondria remains a misunderstood condition, particularly among high-profile figures.
In a previous interview with Vogue, Parker Bowles reflected on turning 50 as a personal wake-up call, admitting he became more conscious of his health and lifestyle habits.
Despite his wit and culinary success, his recent disclosures reveal a vulnerable and relatable side — one that challenges the perception of privilege and composure within royal circles.
