Latest news with #alcoholaddiction
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ex-MasterChef judge George Calombaris reveals true extent of his alcohol addiction
Former MasterChef Australia star George Calombaris has revealed how a series of scandals lost his company $3 million and led to a private battle with alcohol addiction. The Greek-Australian chef joined the cooking show as a judge in 2009 and quickly became a fan favourite both on-screen and off. He went on to build a multimillion-dollar hospitality empire in the years that followed, but back-to-back scandals saw it take a massive financial hit. In 2017, the celebrity chef was involved in an altercation with a fan at the A-League grand final, and in 2019 he admitted to underpaying approximately 500 of his current and former employees $7.8 million in wages over a six-year period. That same year, Calombaris and fellow judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan left MasterChef after 12 seasons over contract negotiation breakdowns, and when the pandemic hit in 2020, Calombaris found himself at rock bottom. Now in candid interview with Ouzo Talk, Calombaris details his spiral into alcohol addiction, which all came to a head when his brother found him drunk in his car one night. 'After Covid hit, I'm suddenly sitting in Melbourne, which is shut for now two years, sitting with my pyjamas on … looking at my phone going there's no emails, there's nothing to do (and I) start drinking daily,' the star chef said. 'I'll never forget three months down the track I lost it one night. I got in my car, drove down the road, I don't know where [I was]. My brother found me pissed as a fart. 'And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went enough is enough.' Calombaris and his Made Establishment group of companies have since paid back its staff's wages and superannuation. His company was also fined a $200,000 'contrition payment' at the time. 'We love in Australia [to] never let the truth get in the way of a good story,' Calombaris previously said in a statement. 'The truth of the matter is that we overpaid and underpaid 51 per cent of our crew and 49 per cent of them, we had 550 team members and we found the problem.' 'We went to Fair Work, we owned up and we paid.' As the scandal made headline news, the famed restaurateur was also charged with assault after he was seen shoving a 19-year-old fan at the A-League grand final, while allegedly being heckled about the wage controversy. The chef successfully had his conviction for assault overturned in a 2018 appeal and a judge imposed a 12-month good behaviour bond while stricking the criminal conviction from his permanent record. 'It was six months of pain you know, I had to go in and out of court three times, hire one of the best KC's of the time,' Calombaris said in the podcast. 'I reckon it cost around 3 million bucks that, in loss of endorsements … Ridiculous, stupid, I would have rather taken that 3 million and given it to charity.'
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef star George Calombaris reveals secret alcohol addiction battle after losing $3million and hitting rock bottom during a series of scandals: I was drinking daily in my pyjamas'
MasterChef star George Calombaris has opened up about his alcohol addiction battle after losing $3million and hitting rock bottom during a series of scandals. Calombaris became a household name when he joined MasterChef as a judge in 2009, rapidly building a restaurant empire on the back of his success. But a decade later, the once-celebrated cooking icon abruptly fell from grace in a $7.8milion wage underpayment scandal and assault of a teenage soccer fan. His company Made Establishment (MAdE) went into voluntary administration and his restaurants were shut down. 'After Covid hit, I'm suddenly sitting in Melbourne, which is shut for now two years, sitting with my pyjamas on … looking at my phone going there's no emails, there's nothing to do (and I) start drinking daily,' the chef admitted on the Ouzo Talk podcast. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'll never forget three months down the track I lost it one night. I got in my car, drove down the road, I don't know where (I was). My brother found me pissed as a fart. 'And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went enough is enough.' His company MAdE collapsed in February 2020 after being ordered by the Fair Work Ombudsman to pay workers millions in unpaid penalty rates. Calombaris was personally hit with a $200,000 penalty for the wage rorts but always insisted the underpayments were simply a mistake he blamed on inexperience. The ex-hospitality boss said the payment error was detected after the company made a self-report, but the publicity that followed made it impossible to keep his 21 businesses alive. Calombaris explained it creatted 'six months of pain' and he lost around '$3million in endorsements'. 'Ridiculous, stupid, I would have rather taken that 3 million and given it to charity,' he added. His reputation was further damaged when he was caught on camera attacking a 19-year-old at an A-League grand final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. Calombaris was convicted of assault and fined $1,000, but the damage to his name was so bad his conviction was later overturned. He eventually picked himself after waking up after a big booze-filled night and realising his life had to change. The family moved to Arthurs Seat, in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula in March 2020 and Calombaris reignited his passion for cooking by becoming the executive chef of his family's household. At first, he was afraid the stigma from his past life would follow his family, but was relieved to be welcomed in by the community as fellow school parents immediately invited him into their conversations. By slowing down his lifestyle and beginning to engage with the community, he found a sense of purpose, cooking meals and sharing them with friends as well as helping Melbourne business associates struggling amid the pandemic. He previously said the one positive from his downfall was having more time with his family after he frequently missed major milestones during his action-packed career.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michael Madsen got sober months before shock death at 66 after years of battling with alcoholism
Michael Madsen was recently sober when he died, having finally overcome his years-long battle with alcohol. The Reservoir Dogs star found sobriety in the last few months prior to his shock passing at 66 on Thursday, sources told TMZ. The beloved actor — who was arrested for driving drunk after crashing his Land Rover into a pole in 2019 — was making a significant effort to turn his life around. However, insiders are uncertain about his state of mind in the days before he passed away, though they believe he was still committed to his recovery program. The Kill Bill icon was found 'unresponsive' at his Malibu home early Thursday morning. Madsen was pronounced dead at the home. His management later claimed he had died from cardiac arrest. Madsen had battled alcohol addiction for years, and frequently spent time in rehabilitation programs, including in 2013 when he was court ordered to enroll in rehab for 30 days to treat his 'severe alcohol problem.' Amid his alcohol struggles, he also battled with depression as well as a troubled marriage to wife DeAnna. His son Hudson tragically died by suicide in 2022 aged 26. According to the sources, the actor was in a constant cycle of trying to get his drinking under control. Despite his own struggles, Madsen consistently tried to help others by mentoring individuals facing similar challenges at a Malibu recovery facility. Madsen's longtime friend and assistant, Dougie Smith, told TMZ the actor seemed to be in good health just a week before he died, and even had a routine doctor's appointment for his rotator cuff. Meanwhile Perry Wander, who has represented the star for 20 years, said the Kill Bill icon had 'many struggles'. 'I just spoke to Michael two days ago,' Wander told Daily Mail, admitting that 'I knew he was not well.' 'Michael was suffering from the effects of alcoholism. He had multiple stints in and out of rehab. He struggled to maintain his sobriety. He was not happy about his life.' Madsen was also facing a crippling legal battle with his estranged wife, which saw the pair fighting over child support and other finances, his lawyer claimed. 'I blame her for putting in the screws over his last years of life,' Wander said, alleging the legal battle, which saw his passport be 'maliciously revoked', impacted his ability to travel and work abroad. 'Michael lived a life of regrets - those regrets being his two marriages,' he added. Madsen had battled alcohol addiction for years, and frequently spent time in rehabilitation programs, including in 2013 when he was court ordered to enroll in rehab for 30 days to treat his 'severe alcohol problem'; Pictured in 2019 Madsen's youngest son paid an emotional tribute to his beloved actor father after his shock death at 66 on Thursday. Luke Madsen, one of the three sons the actor welcomed with wife DeAnna, took to Instagram to laud his father and 'tell Hudson I said hi' - in honor of his brother who died by suicide in 2022. Sharing three childhood snaps with his father, he wrote: 'Some Peoples Hero's Wear Capes. And Fly Shooting Lasers Out Of Their Eyes. Some peoples Hero's Can Fight Off Armies And Overcome Anything.' My Hero Wore A Cowboy Hat. My Hero Stood Taller And Stronger Than Any Man I've Ever Met. 'My Hero Understood Me Better Than Anyone. My Hero Is The Coolest Most Badass Human Being I Know. 'Not Only Was My Hero A Famous Tough Guy Movie Star. My Hero Was My Father. And He Was. Damn Good One. 'Love You Pops. I'll See You Again Someday. Tell Hudson I Said Hi.' [sic]. Luke, along with members of his heartbroken family rushed to the Reservoir Dogs star's home on Thursday as news of his death broke. Hours after his death, obtained photos of Madsen's heartbroken family — including his estranged wife DeAnna — gathering outside his house. A man who looked to be Madsen's son Max, 31, consoled DeAnna while standing in the home's driveway as more family members arrived. Madsen's eldest son Christian, 35, and his youngest son Luke, 19, also appeared to be at the scene. A statement from the star's representatives to read: 'In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film including upcoming feature films Resurrection Road, Concessions and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life. Luke, one of the three sons the actor welcomed with wife DeAnna, took to Instagram to laud his father and 'tell Hudson I said hi' following his death; Hudson is pictured left, Luke front, with his brothers and mom DeAnna 'Madsen was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems. 'Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.' Madsen was best known for his frequent collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino, starring in Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). He also starred in 1997's Donnie Brasco as Sonny Black. Madsen is survived by his five children, estranged wife DeAnna and his actress sister Virginia Madsen. He was first wed to Georganne LaPiere, half-sister of singer and actress Cher from 1984-1988. He welcomed a daughter named Jessica with Dana Mechling. He was married to Jeannine Bisignano from 1991 to 1995. They have two sons, Christian and Max. In 1996, he married DeAnna. Together they had three sons, Luke, Kalvin and Hudson. His death comes 11 months after his domestic violence case - where he was accused of shoving wife DeAnna - was dismissed due to 'insufficient evidence.' 'We are thrilled that Michael Madsen is able to put this behind him and look forward to our continued collaboration with more great things coming from this veteran and respected actor,' his representative said at the time. The star was arrested for domestic violence amid claims he got physical with his spouse. He also allegedly locked her out of their home, which is located in the Los Angeles area. The Reservoir Dogs star was given a misdemeanor domestic violence charge at the time. He also had to spend part of his weekend in jail, before posting a $20,000 bond. Days later in a statement to THR, Madsen's lawyer Perry Wander insisted that his client was 'not guilty of domestic violence.' A representative for the star confirmed the incident saying: 'It was a disagreement between Michael and his wife, which we hope resolves positively for them both.' Madsen filed for divorce from DeAnna in September 2024 - and in court papers obtained by he accused his estranged wife of driving their son to die by suicide 'by her neglect, drinking and alcoholism.' A month later, he issued a regretful Instagram statement apologizing for his claims and denying he had wanted to end their marriage. He said: 'Losing a child is the hardest and most painful experience that can happen in this world. I deeply apologize for not correcting this earlier but I love my wife and our other 4 children and have no desire for divorce or blame. 'She had absolutely nothing to do with what happened to our son. It was a horrible loss and choice that was made for reasons that truly cannot ever be known because the person is gone, I don't think my son is dead, I think he escaped from a life that didn't make sense anymore.' It wasn't Madsen's first brush with the law. In 2022 the Hollywood actor was arrested for trespassing at a luxury house from which he was evicted, reported. It was a $5.3 million Malibu mansion just across the Pacific Coast Highway from La Costa Beach. A source exclusively told at the time: 'Michael had been living at the house since last year, but the lease was in another person's name.' The house was leased out by another person and several thousand dollars were owed in back rent, has learned. The owner had tried for the past two years to get the tenants evicted, but because of the moratorium on evictions on account of Covid, it took several months to go through the legal process. His arrest came just a month after his son, US Army Sgt. Hudson Madsen shot himself dead on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, where he was stationed with the 25th Infantry Division. Hudson was an Afghan war vet. Hudson's death came a week after his wife Carlie underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her breast. 'I am in shock as my son, whom I just spoke with a few days ago, said he was happy - my last text from him was 'I love you dad,'' he told the Los Angeles Times. 'I didn't see any signs of depression. It's so tragic and sad. I'm just trying to make sense of everything and understand what happened.' Madsen said his son's marriage was 'going strong' and he had recently completed his first tour in the U.S. Army. 'He had typical life challenges that people have with finances, but he wanted a family. He was looking towards his future, so its mind-blowing. I just can't grasp what happened.' Madsen has requested a full military investigation into his son's death. The actor thinks 'the officers and rank and file were shaming' Hudson for wanting therapy. He believes this stopped him from seeking help for mental health issues he had been keeping to himself. In 2019, the actor was axed from a $100,000 role in movie Confessions of a Serial Killer after crashing his Land Rover into a pole and subsequently being arrested for DUI. He was later sentenced to four days in jail. In 2012 he was also arrested for DUI after driving erratically but struck a plea deal that involved attending AA meetings in lieu of more severe punishment. However, after Madsen failed to attend his court ordered Alcoholics Anonymous meetings his probation was revoked. That same year he was arrested at his Malibu home after allegedly getting into a physical fight with his son after catching him smoking marijuana. The actor was being held in jail on $100,000 bail after being charged with child endangerment with cruelty to a child: a felony charge, which means it is considered a crime of high seriousness. He did not face any charges after his arrest for suspected child endangerment.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Short-term funding' hurting alcohol and drugs services in Inverclyde, board hears
THE chair of the body that oversees health and social care services in Inverclyde has called for an end to the 'short-term approach' to funding of lifeline services aimed at tackling the devastating impact of alcohol and drug addiction. David Gould was speaking as the Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board (IJB) scrutinised a new five-year strategy to reduce drug and alcohol deaths in the area. Mr Gould said the funding of projects on a 'non-recurring' basis – usually only for fixed periods of two years – made tackling the high number of deaths in Inverclyde a constant challenge. He told the IJB's latest meeting: "In terms of the work we are doing, with funding not being received on a recurring basis, how much of a challenge is that for us, and what impact does that have on our ability to deliver the alcohol and drug strategy? 'It would seem that that as we put the alcohol and drug strategy in place we are working with one hand tied behind our back if we can't retain or recruit employees because funding is for two years only." Delivery of alcohol and drugs services in Inverclyde is being hit by the lack of recurring funding to deliver support in the area, the local IJB heard. (Image: PA) A separate report to the IJB's audit committee highlighted that the issue is also affecting staff recruitment, with posts being advertised on a 'fixed-term' rather than permanent basis. Maxine Ward, head of addiction services at the Inverclyde health and social care partnership (HSCP), said: "It is a significant challenge for us. With two years of funding it is very difficult to recruit. "We have two choices: we can either commission our third sector partners to deliver services, or we can create posts for two years within the HSCP, which is difficult to do. "It could take 12 months to get someone in post then we have to ask for special permissions to hold on to that funding. "It absolutely impacts on the way we design services and if we had the budget we have got on a recurring basis I would be doing things very differently." David Gould chairs the Inverclyde integrated joint board. (Image: contributed) Head of mental health services Katrina Phillips said: "What we get back from the Scottish Government is there is no availability at this moment in time to make that recurring. "They made mental health outcomes recurring but we haven't had that yet for alcohol and drug services." Ms Ward added: "We know locally what our challenges are, and we are often different to neighbouring authorities. READ MORE: Government slammed over efforts to tackle Inverclyde's grim drugs death toll "But we are limited in terms of how we use some of that funding. "As it stands we are forced into a 'square peg, round hole' scenario. We can't tailor the services specifically, we can't move y to x if we need x more." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We provide annual funding of £112 million to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for treatment and support services, with Greater Glasgow and Clyde due to receive £28 million this year. 'To respond to requests for more certainty over funding, particularly in relation to sustainability of services and staffing, we baselined a further £19 million of Alcohol and Drugs Partnership funding and issued a letter of comfort to all ADPs confirming 2025-26 funding to help them plan ahead. 'It is for each ADP to take forward the provision and commissioning of services, based on an assessment of local need.'
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kate Moss' party pal Davinia Taylor, 47, reveals that if she had 'one more drink she could have died' as she opens up about former wild life before turning to biohacking
Davinia Taylor has revealed that if she had 'one more drink, she could have died' as she opened up about her former party life. The former actress, 47, who ditched the party scene to live a healthy life style, has confessed that she kept drinking through her 20s until she hit rock bottom. Davinia was famed for her position in the notorious Primrose Hill party set, where she joined her then-husband Dave Gardner in partying through the Nineties with pals including Kate Moss, Sadie Frost and Jude Law. And now, Davinia, who has been sober for 17 years after battling alcohol addiction, has become a fitness guru and credits 'biohacking' for her 'biological age of 20'. Chatting to the Sun, Davinia explained that she 'flatlined' and was drinking to survive rather than for enjoyment. She told the publication: 'I was constantly hungover, riddled with anxiety, and alcohol didn't work for me any more. The former actress, 47, who ditched the party scene to live a healthy life style, has confessed that she kept drinking through her 20s until she hit rock bottom (pictured in 2000) 'Not even a glass of red wine would lift me. 'I was shown these awful videos of myself drunk, and numerous times I was told by doctors, 'one more drink will kill you'. Biohacking involves making small, strategic scientific-backed changes to habits and behaviors to improve things like cognitive function and weight management. Davina ditched her party girl ways in favour of a cleaner existence, after a 12-week rehab stint in South Africa where she was eventually able to kick her habits. The former actress described her battle with alcoholism as a an 'eternal hell', because she knew she shouldn't be drinking but was in a heavy period of withdrawal Once she got clean, Davinia said she became addicted to other areas of life, such as eating when she gained 'stones', before eventually finding a happier balance. She shares son Grey, 17, with Dave, and Luxx, 13, whose father has never been revealed, and Asa, six, and Jude, seven, with her partner Matthew Leyden. Davinia recently told The Sun how she wishes her mother, who died in 2013, could see the woman she has become. Now, Davinia, who has been sober for 17 years after battling alcohol addiction, has become a fitness guru and credits 'biohacking' for her 'biological age of 20' She said: 'For her to see me now, as a mother – happy, settled and not needing the fineries to support my ego – would have made her really proud.' At one point in her life, Davinia faced a custody battle and was suicidal, however, now she said her old self would not have been able to recognise the woman she is today. Explaining why her younger years were so wild, Davinia said that she has a high dopamine drive, meaning the impulsiveness to do things to feel alive was stronger. She said that this is a classic symptom of ADHD, but that it is not as widely diagnosed in women as it is in men. 'A girl with ADHD will be referred to as 'Dolly Daydream', and that was me,' she said. 'I'm hoping over the next few years that a lot of women my age realise they can get help for it now – it's not too late.' In 2007, Davinia gave birth to her first child, Grey, and began to suffer with postnatal depression which she attempted to buy her way out of. She said doctors prescribed her with strong medication for bipolar disorder which she stayed on for five years and although she was no longer suicidal, she said she started drifting through each day. Reflecting back on the birth of Grey, Davinia said she now realises she was suffering from a crash of her supportive hormones due to the IVF - but doctors had written this off as 'baby blues'. She now hopes that her struggle can encourage more women to talk about this issue and push for hormone replacement therapy to help them. During her divorce from her ex-husband Dave Gardner in 2009, her mother sent her to rehab in South Africa to overcome her alcohol addiction, and Davinia said she thinks without her mother's help, she would not be here now. 'By the time I was out the other side of the divorce, I was beyond any relapse. It was a blessing in disguise, because it put me in fight mode, and sometimes that's my comfort zone. I had to be razor-sharp and although it wasn't necessarily pleasurable, it gave me focus. After ditching alcohol, Davinia said she turned to sugars and unhealthy foods, because she didn't realise how much of an impact they could have on her health. She said that her poor diet caused her to feel joint pan, caused her to start forgetting things and her general mood was also being affected. To combat this, Davinia said she started reading up on dietary knowledge and came out a happier person and better woman to her friends and family. However, she also said that she hasn't become obsessive over her health, even joking that she'd even recently had a fry-up. If she is feeling low though, she added that she ups the amount of fats and protein she consumes, and enjoys a cold shower and a run.
