70 Up's Neil Hughes living almost solitary life in France after once 'sleeping in a bulldozer'
Neil has battled with his mental health since he was 1670 Up star Neil Hughes is now living alone in France in a house with no central heating.
Neil, who is one of the original 7 Up participants, will explain to viewers in the 70 Up final show that he has separated from his wife.
He now lives in almost solitude in France in a large property he has inherited from his parents.
Neil relies on lighting piles of cardboard in the fireplace to keep warm and barely sees a soul.
Fans of the Up series will remember how Neil spent 20 years of his life homeless, living in squats and later in a council house on benefits.
Neil later admitted he had been suffering with depression since the age of 16.
Now, in 70 Up, he admits he even “slept in a bulldozer” when times were really tough.
70 Up’s Neil Hughes living alone in France.
Neil was first shown to viewers in 1964 as a happy seven-year-old living a middle class life in Liverpool. But as the cameras continued to return every seven years, his life slowly spiralled in a totally different direction.
Neil moved from one squat to another after dropping out of university in Aberdeen. He also appeared very agitated at times before admitting to a “nervous condition” He confirmed this as “depression”.
In 70 Up’s final episode on Tuesday, Neil will tell viewers: “I slept in a bulldozer once. I slept in bitterly cold huts and on seats and things. I squatted in London in two different addresses.”
He adds: “My background has given me a sense of being part of a very impersonal society.”
Up viewers last saw Neil in 63 Up. He was working as a district councillor and as a lay Baptist preacher. 70 Up fans will learn in the second episode that France is now his permanent home.
Neil will be seen in a quiet little bookshop. He says: “We’re in France where I now live. This is a lovely bookshop where I spend half a day a week volunteering, which I enjoy. It gives me a framework for the week.
“I am still married but separated from my wife. After years of living on my own, I realise I’d become much more selfish than I wanted to be.”
‘Lonely at times’
Neil admits he’s “not ever good with others”. He will add: “Even the friends who have remained, have remained friends because I don’t see them every day of the week.”
Neil does insist he can “turn to” his friends in a crisis, however. He also stresses: “I’ve tried to avoid being caught up in situations where I know I’ll be at a disadvantage. Without trying to avoid the whole of life.
“I’ve come across people who’ve had similar problems and just become total recluses. In the end, it doesn’t help them.”
Neil is keen to stress people with mental health conditions are not “odd”. He adds: “It doesn’t mean they have chosen to be weird or antisocial.”
He says he is “lonely at times” but concludes he is “as happy as I probably could be given my life.”
Read more: 7 Up’s Nick Hitchon makes surprise appearance in 70 Up but tragically died three days after filming
